Customer Reviews

Bryn Terfel - Tutto Mozart!

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Bryn Terfel emerged suddenly as a world-famous singer because of his ability to communicate, as well as the natural gift of a warm, flexible voice that allows for a wide range of character types. Best known for Falstaff and his Mozart roles, particularly Figaro and Leporello, Terfel is one of those artists who can expand as far as his horizons happen to be. Here he is in great voice and top form, but even better, he's stretching himself and not relying on familiar gimmicks.

Nineteen baritone arias would be a lot by any measure, so to avoid sameness, Terfelt mixes the very familiar (multiple selections from Cosi, Figaro, and Don Giovanni) with obscure but beautiful concert and opera arias. The inclusion of ensemble numbers like Soave sia il vento from Cosi is a wonderful touch--we really feel we're being immersed in "Tutto Mozart." Are there any weaknesses? Not really. Tefel's not able to sound sinister or ruthless, so his Don Giovanni is too much of a teddy bear. As magnetic as he is on stage, Terfel's Figaro isn't vocally very funny. but no one can quibble with his extraordinary musical instincts, which are fully on display in this triumphant CD, one of his very best.

That Bryn Terfel is in possession of one of the most beautiful baritone voices on the stage today is a given. Not only is his voice rich in hue, able to maintain a beauty of tone throughout a large range, but he is also so intrinsically musical that he never allows 'showmanship' to overcome the composer's intentions.

In this superb 'recital' of an album Terfel trips through the arias of Leporello, Figaro, Count Almaviva, Guglielmo, Don Giovanni, and brings surprises to roles he has yet to create on the stage. Yet he also includes some rarities such as the late Mozart concert aria 'Cosi dunque tradisci' as well as some lighter duets from 'Bastien und Bastienne' and 'Der Stein der Weisen'. He is joined by the luminous soprano Miah Persson in the duets of Papageno and Papagena form 'Die Zauberflote'. In every instance the result is fresh Mozart in as captivating a style as is heard on any recording. Sir Charles Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra provide the sensitive collaboration. Bryn Terfel simply has it all and this CD proves it! Grady Harp, March 07

As was expected, Bryn Terfel's rendition of the Mozart arias is superb. A specific mention should be made of his flawless diction in both German and Italian. Terfel belongs in the category of truly great artists not only singers. Every lover of Mozart and great singing should buy this CD.

I've been listening to Terfel from the beginning - whenever that was. While I am nuts about his voice and I like him "personally," I do not want to hear him in any language other than English, Welsh or Deutsch. In my very considered opinion, he has no grasp of Italian. As for his Falstaff, it is an embarrassment, mostly due to that dreadful production. While I know this sounds as if I do NOT like Terfel, that is not true - but he has his limitations and being light and funny and Italianate are not among his better qualities.

I was most impressed with the speed in which it was delivered, coming from across the pond! The recipient was VERY HAPPY with this CD.

Bryn Terfel is one of those singers that do not record well.
The voice somehow sounds duller on CD than in live performances. May be it has some thing to do with the timbre itself, but certainly Bryn fares better starting from the middle section of a recital or operatic performance - he is one of those that tends to warm up late.
So you would expect, as with his other recital albums, the singing, though very good, is not his best.
Of the various roles taken up in this all-Mozart recording, I would say that Leporello and Count Almaviva are the parts that suit him the best. Lighter timbre is called for in Papageno, more flamboyancy in Don Giovanni, slightly more drive in Figaro, and a trival more sweetness in Guglielmo.
Even so, this is a bargain CD from a top-notch singer in his prime.