Customer Reviews

Rachmaninov: Songs

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This is one of the most beautiful recordings of Rachmaninov songs available. Rodgers and Shelley are completely in sync here, and capture the full range of moods and colors in a well considered sample of the composer's writing for voice. I've long wondered why Rodgers has not garnered "star" status internationally, and every time I listen to this recording I'm puzzled again. To judge from the evidence here, she has everything: clear diction, beautiful legato line, stylistic affinity for Rachmaninov's sound world, and a heartstoppingly gorgeous timbre -- in certain parts of the voice very similar to Renee Fleming's, but without Fleming's tendency to croon and distort the musical line. Indeed, Rodger's ability to marry discipline and profound, complicated feeling makes something special of this recording. Together with Ewa Podles' recital of Russian melodies, which includes some of the songs sung here, Rodgers' Rachmaninov is a treasure. So are her recordings of Howells and Vaugh Williams and Britten.

A huge auditorium was not the necessary setting for these plaintive, platonic Love songs. Yes, they might be considered "Pop" for their time, as all the numbers herein are between 1:47 and 6:04 and are instantly lyrically *accessible*, though melodically complex. The songlist is chronological, and so it delivers at the outset, with the splendid "Again you are bestirred, my heart", followed by "Sing not, O lovely one". Soprano Joan Rodgers and Pianist Howard Shelley succeed in touching the heart and inspiring the mind to study and embrace this historical emanation.
Cover art, enclosed booklet, production is superb.