Customer Reviews

Wayfaring Stranger

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

 

 

The strength of Mentzer's full mezzo is moving and most enjoyable to the ear and heart. A truthful and beatifully trained artist whose voice allows the listener to do just that "listen". Worthy and rich, full of contrast and life, I find Mentzer's singing very moving. A fine compliment is Isbin's generousity with guitar. Buy this.

This CD presents two marvelous artists who each perform magnificiently in solo roles. I had sought this CD to hear Sharon Isbin. Susanne Mentzer's voice was unfamiliar. No longer.

The CD consists of many folksongs, American and French plus British works and Lieder. The sound quality is superb. The symetry and synergy produced by Isbin and Mentzer has to be heard to be truly appreciated. Sometimes the voice or instrument is in the background. While writing I am listening to Mentzer and Isbin's guitar mastery provides a beautiful blend. There is one problem that I find. The title is misleading. After listening to this CD, most listeners will feel like neighbors, not strangers. They may be wandering but there is some direction. "Wayfaring" to me implies less direction. The music is spontaneous and moving. It is also free flowing rather than having each performer stick exactly to the scores. Yet they are in tandem. So, as they wander, their steps are in synct.(sp). I bought my copy on an auction. Now, I will look for more Mentzer works while continuing my search for more Isbin. If Erato shows its savvy, there should be an encore CD.

Bravo.

Ms. Mentzer is a mezzo with a full rich range, yet very sensitive and moving. Her voice tells us she has love in a complicated life...as all fine artists share. Ms. Isbin is a fine compliment to Mentzer's brilliant and heartfelt singing. A fine addition to any music collection.

If you are intrigued by the idea of classical artists performing folk music, this album may prove discouraging. The fault is not with Isbin, who seems comfortable in any musical genre. Mentzer, on the other hand, runs into trouble immediately; her delivery lacks the necessary understatement, and her vibrato goes whanging all over the place. It's pretty painful, though it improves when the performers get to the lieder tracks and Mentzer seems more at ease. Still, getting to the later tracks isn't easy.

Take away the 5 American Songs, I'll give this CD 4.5 stars. It makes me wonder why the artists would choose one of their weakest set to be the title of the CD. I find Ms. Mentzer meandering her way operatically through the 5 songs, ended up totally at lost. But what is amissed here, she made it up in the rest of the CD and I find her most comfortable in the Schubert's songs, she did especially a fine job in the popular Standchen. Aranjuez, Ma Pensee also got a nice premiere here. It is sorrowful and heart-wrenching and well worth the transcription from the Concerto. But the limelight of the performance belongs to Ms. Isbin. She is an excellent accompanist throughout and truely shines in the 3 solo performances. She takes more risks with Capricio Arabe and is well rewarded. The contrasts in color and her rubatos make (the ever-solid) David Russell's interpretation sounds prosaic! In summary, skip past the 5 American songs, the rest of the CD is very enjoyable. I only wish Ms. Mentzer and M. Isbin had choosen a couple more Schubert's songs and a few more guitar solo pieces.