The Very Best of Janet Baker

Johann Sebastian Bach (Composer), Johannes Brahms (Composer), Benjamin Britten (Composer), Henri Duparc (Composer), Maurice Durufle (Composer), Edward Elgar (Composer), Gabriel Faure (Composer), George Frideric Handel (Composer), Gustav Mahler (Composer), Janet Baker (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Janet Baker
• Composer: Johann Sebastian Bach, Johannes Brahms, Benjamin Britten, Henri Duparc, Maurice Durufle, et al.
• Audio CD (April 9, 2002)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: EMI Classics
• ASIN: B00005UUOW
• Also Available in: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #73,542 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #11 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( W ) > Warlock, Peter
  #23 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( D ) > Duruflé, Maurice
  #60 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( B ) > Britten, Sir Benjamin

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
While it is impossible to really squeeze The Very Best of Janet Baker onto just two CDs, this two and a half hour anthology is a fine portrait of the British mezzo-soprano. Central to CD 1 is Elgar's Sea Pictures, a definitive account with the London Symphony Orchestra conducted by Sir John Barbirolli. While other British music is represented by Vaughan Williams's "Linden Lea," Britten's "Corpus Christie Carol," and Warlock's "Pretty Ring Time," CD 2 balances the program with 10 Schubert songs accompanied at the piano by either Gerald Moore or Geoffrey Parsons, which range from "Ave Maria" to Shakespeare. The set lends equal weight to orchestral and more intimate song, as well as to works in English--a very moving reading of Handel's "He was despised" from Messiah--and European landmarks, including Mendelssohn's On Wings of Song and Brahms's Alto Rhapsody, the latter with a superlative London Philharmonic Orchestra under Sir Adrian Boult. In an age of technically dazzling but sometimes bland singers, this release is a reminder of emotionally intense musicianship that retains vocal clarity and commitment to the composer's intentions over superstar ego. The word great is often used all too easily, but it could not be more appropriate for this outstanding collection of a great singer. --Gary S. Dalkin

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Rare & Glorious Singer, June 10, 2002

By	Erin Matthiessen "son of Doris" (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a pretty good cross-section of Dame Janet's output from the prime of her career. There are few if any singers like her around today. There are many mezzos who can sing beautifully, with great articulation and finesse, but they lack the moral and musical integrity Dame Janet always brought to her singing. The voice is ardent, seeking, yearning, finding, exulting. Listen to the excerpt from "Dream of Gerontius" or the third of the "Sea Pictures" to see what I mean.
She does not sing to show off. She sings to enlighten, to illuminate, to reveal, to enter into. Her voice carries us off, near to Heaven.
Dame Janet has been neglected of late. This recording shows us why, in these perilous times, we need her more than ever.

20 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Grace Incarnate, September 1, 2002

By	Trix Rabbit "Trix Rabbit" (Canada) - See all my reviews

If there is one singer who has ever truly been able to master the singer's art of interpretation, this is her. She is a gift to music, I truly believe this. A few words, or glowing adjectives could not accurately describe the singing of a woman who epitomizes art. And music. Grace and beauty.
Each track on this cd is a perfect union of poetry, melody and technicality. Dame Janet Baker fully immerses herself into each piece, and delivers highly commited, intelligent & emotional performances.

4.0 out of 5 stars Janet Baker, February 19, 2009

By	SM Schimmel - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Very good voice. She has given the best rendition of Elgar's Sea Pictures that I know of.