PERCY GRAINGER (1882-1961)
The Grainger Edition Vol.2 - Songs for Baritone
STEPHEN VARCOE baritone · PENELOPE THWAITES piano
Willow Willow · Six Dukes Went Afishin' · British Waterside · The Pretty Maid Milkin' her Cow · The Lost Lady Found · Creepin' Jane* · Bold William Taylor · Hard Hearted Barb'ra (H)Ellen · Shallow Brown (all traditional)
Four Settings from Songs of the North* Leezie Lindsay · Bonnie George Campbell · Drowned · Willie's Gane to Melville Castle
Six Settings of Rudyard Kipling* Lukannon · Merciful Town · Ride with an Idle Whip · Northern Ballad · The Men of the Sea · Soldier, Soldier
The Secret of the Sea* (Henry Wadsworth Longfellow)
Sailor's Chanty* (Arthur Conan Doyle)*Premiere recordings. Libretto in English only. This review is generously sponsored by HMV Singapore.
CHANDOS CHAN 9503
[64'50"] full-priceby Ng Yeuk Fan
This is the first time I am listening to anything by Grainger. But I have become instantly converted.
Those of you who have never heard anything by this composer should seriously consider this lyrical artist. The first song, Willow Willow, is filled with a dreamily introspective melody, enchanting and searching at once and very fitting to the inclinations of the verse.
Many of these works are arrangements of tunes taken from folk melodies; only eighteen contain original music by Grainger. Hence many come under the heading of "arrangements of folk songs". They are, as most folk songs go, very listenable, very sweet and homely; in this case, extremely English and endearingly so. Poetry by Kipling and further, the sea, served Grainger well; some of his most intense works are written inspired by these subjects.
The selection included in this disc is well-researched and the entire programme well-contrasted. One can hear entire palettes of styles of British folk music. The arrangements are mainly supportive; Schubert's mastery of lieder style is not evident here, nor is the special creativity of the German master's piano accompaniment a common feature in Grainger's songs. Having said that, this is a different music and it would not be correct to expect the same.
Grainger's arrangements ["Agraingments"? The Editor takes full responsiblity for this word - Ed.] are always stylish, sufficient, open; allowing the voice more scope to paint scapes of sea, colour and also to emote. Distinctive 20th century Modernism can be heard juxtaposing with consummate skill into the beautiful folk melodies.
Grainger (right) carves a unique place for his arrangements among those by English greats in a similar genre - like Britten and Vaughan Williams, Delius and Stanford.
STEPHEN Varcoe, a sensitive and intelligent baritone, utilizes this open arrangement to great effect. Varcoe's voice is light, malleable, full of expressive colour and nuance. Despite the very slight hollow in the centre of his tone detectable only on certain vowels sounds, Varcoe's understanding of his voice is demonstrable in his ease throughout all registers. Subtle passages are better performed than are emotionally dramatic lines at the upper end of his register. Varcoe chooses to lighten his voice to scale the top notes at these dramatic passages without ugliness of voice, but at the expense of the dramatic content. Nevertheless, minor faults are easily ignored in this very excellent marriage of Varcoe's voice and Grainger's music.
Penelope Thwaites, the accompanist, is a specialist in Grainger's music. She was awarded the International Grainger Society's Medallion in 1991 for her work in Grainger's music. One feels that there is much communication between these two artists. Thawaites' understanding propels a very authoritative interpretation from Varcoe. Listen to track 18, Hard Hearted Barb'ra (H)Ellen, plenty of shocking Grainger demonstrated here, colourfully brought out by Thawaites' interpretative push on the piano. Very rarely, as in Track 7 Bold William Taylor, one wishes for a little more wilful abandon - more outright enjoyment of this sprightly song/music from both performers, who border on being a tad too scholarly. Let this music live!
Altogether a very enjoyable disc, it is not necessary for me to mention any particularly enjoyable track - they all are; and it grows on you. This disc is definitely a worthy addition to any collection yearning to explore beyond standard fare; for that matter, this repertoire should be included in the collections of all vocal enthusiasts.
To Contact the Percy Grainger Society, write to the Secretary, Barry Peter Ould,
The Percy Grainger Society
6 Fairfax Crescent, Aylesbury
Buckinghamshire HP20 2ES
United KingdomA full catalogue of Chandos records is now available in Singapore at HMV (The Heeren). Chandos can also be found at Borders (Wheelock Place) or ordered from Sing Discs (Raffles City).
Ng Yeuk Fan thanks Adrian for introducing him to Grainger.
Back to the Classical Index!... or read previous Grainger reviews and features at the InkpotOther classical music reviews by this or any other writer can be obtained from the InkVault by doing a key word search with the writer's name.
230 (g2): 28.6.98. up.31.3.1999 ©Adrian Tan
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