Barbara Bonney - Fairest Isle

Barbara Bonney (Artist), Christopher Hogwood (Artist), The Academy of Ancient Music (Artist)

Product Details

• Audio CD (March 13, 2001)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B000055XGE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (13 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #235,386 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Away from the clamor of grand opera and soaring symphonies, Fairest Isle takes us into the quiet, intimate world of English Elizabethan song, and you could hope for no better guide than Barbara Bonney. Her clear, beautifully rounded voice is superbly controlled, making light of a masterful technique; if you want to hear art concealing art, look no further. This is intensely private music, in a program that cleverly sidesteps any risk of listener fatigue by starting with lute accompaniment (infinitely tender playing by Jacob Heringman), moving on to a viol quartet, then finally to the richer sound of the Academy of Ancient Music under Christopher Hogwood. Leavening the mix are three instrumental interludes. The title piece is a blithe, dancelike song. Better known are some of the classics of English song: Dowland's "Come again" and "Flow, my tears," Morley's "It was a lover and his lass," and Purcell's "If music be the food of love" and "When I am laid in earth," a heart-in-mouth performance that makes time stand still. --Keith Clarke

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very pleasant early music, August 15, 2001

By	Peter J. Smith "Pjay" (Clifton, VA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is my first Bonney album and I purchased it on a whim. I have not been disappointed and have listening to it almost daily. I am only writing this review as I search for another of her albums. She has an angelic voice and maintains her diction for a set that demands clear diction. The album is nicely mixed and produced with simple instruments appropriately placed.

I find this album to have two clear parts. The first half feels light while the second half is more lamenting and dark. I think she allows a little more passion to seep through in the second half although the entire album is sung in her style.

Early music lovers should note there is nothing new here, these are "mainstream" early music pieces performed very well. But it is refreshing to hear them through Bonney's voice. A soprano with any training will recognize the first few songs in seconds. My wife and I pulled Kathleen Battle doing one of the same numbers and it sounded soooo heavy. It was clear these pieces were written for a light voice Like Bonney's.

This is a fine album to add to any collection.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A most beautiful CD, April 12, 2001

By	jhorro (VA) - See all my reviews

I first heard Barbara Bonney's voice in Mahler 4 with Chailly. I loved her voice so much I bought her recording of Strauss songs and later St. Matthew's passion with Gardiner. Knowing how angelic she was on all those recordings, I could predict that "When I am laid in Earth" on this CD was going to be moving. With lush, period-instrument accompaniments and a clean, warm recording, this CD is a must-have for anyone who loves her instrument.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Miraculous, October 28, 2004

By	EBR (mexico) - See all my reviews

I have had this CD for about 3 years, and it instantly became one of my most treasured. I never tire of listening to it.

I am now listening to it yet again, and am constantly astounded at the utter beauty, refined simplicity, and just perfect taste of Bonney's voice.
Her diction, her natural way of singing and letting the emotions melt in her mouth, her articulation always brilliant, round, glowing, 3-dimensional, her timing and instinct perfect.

And the songs... a wonderful collection of love, philosophical, and devotional pieces. All beautiful and universal.

The instrumental accompaniments are graceful, colorful (each in their own hue), and a dignified match for Bonney's musical stature.

I particularly liked "Come Again", "Never Weather-beaten Saile", "Fairest Isle", Dido's lament, and "She loves me and she confesses too". But all tracks are very good.

I own a large collection of "classical" (I hate that word) and early music, as well as opera, lied, vocal, etc.
I am very particular about what I listen to.
This CD is still one of my most cherished... intimate and very refined.

You could say that Keats was right when he wrote "Truth is beauty, beauty truth..."
Bonney's rendition of these songs is beautiful because it is honest and true... and vice-versa.

ABSOLUTELY RECOMMENDED.