Search - John Dowland, Thomas Campion, Traditional :: Andreas Scholl - English Folksongs & Lute Songs (17th Century)

English perfection from the great German singer

J. R. Gunsell | Cambridge, UK | 10/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The CD starts with Behold a Wonder Here (Dowland) and for people familiar with Emma Kirby's rendering, it's a bit of a surprise. Nothing namby-pamby about this: it suits Andreas's range perfectly and he lets go with plenty of oomph. The unaccompanied King Henry is a showcase for his purity of tone. I doubt that other countertenors could pull this song off so well, of those one thinks of at the present time. His expression in My Love Hath Vow'd (Campion) is very varied and playful, but it is so very much a woman's song that I found it hard to take from Andreas Scholl, albeit sung so so well. I had to imagine the composer singing with his own lute, and remind myself over and over again that the singer is quoting the woman in the song ... The preoccupation with sorrow and death of the English composers of the period seems to amuse Andreas somewhat, when he is asked about it, but you would never know it from listening to him sing these sad songs. His steady, pure voice is like a rope drawing you right into the pain. The highlights IMHO are All Ye Whom Love or Fortune Has Betrayed and I Saw My Lady Weep. Heartbreaking. Andreas Scholl describes himself as a singer in the English tradition - despite what others say of him and his German/Swiss musical background. In these archetypal English songs, he proves his point. It is a beautiful, beautful collection."

FIRST RATE!

MOVIE MAVEN | New York, NY USA | 07/10/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"I am not a fan of the sound of a counter-tenor. I would prefer to hear much of the same repertory sung by a mezzo, say Marilyn Horne or Rise Stevens. That said, Andreas Scholl continues to surprise me. His is not the whiny, nasal sound I associate with a counter-tenor. He has a bright, expressive voice of great passion. And this album does not disappoint. Most of the songs were new to me although I'd heard a few of them in modern arrangements for voice and guitar on other albums such as the superb "Elizabethan Lute Songs" on RCA Gold Seal sung by Sir Peter Pears accompanied by Julian Bream. Also it must be noted that Scholl's command of English is absolute. One would never imagine that English were not his first language."

Bravo!!!

MOVIE MAVEN | 06/11/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"this is one of the best renaissance cds that ive ever had. it captures in the performance all the great characteristics of the renaissance art.must pieces are simple in structure as most folk renaissance music. but the elegance, clear and total control of the interpretation of andrea scholl takes the music to another dimetion.must of the songs are short melodies that are repited. but each repetition by scholl is made with and incredible perfection and musical conscience.the pieces for lute solo are wanderfull and well perform.bravo andrea"