Search - John Dowland, John Ward, Robert [2] [Composer] Johnson :: Crystal Tears [CD+DVD]

Excellent period recording by Scholl

Stephen Jackson | Texas, USA | 02/11/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"This is an incredibly clean and well produced recording of music which is less often recorded fare for the countertenor aficionados. Certainly, those expecting dramatic vocal fire and page long melismas passing in and out of the extremes of the range will be sorely disappointed. But, listen for the sake of what this music really is. Presented here is a wide collection of renaissance music in our closest approximation to what we imagine such music sounded like in it's original form. Scholl is inimitable here. Never overreaching, always engaged in the stylistic and mood of the pieces. It's quite an interesting set of pieces both familiar and less well known, and as such should delight renaissance fans as well as countertenor fans who enjoy hearing the simplicity of the instrument in the period before it's heyday of the baroque. So, why only 4 stars? I enjoy Mr. Scholl's musicality quite a bit, but there are several times here that the voice seems somewhat closed off from his most brilliant recordings. As well, this period of music is not my personal favorite. It is however exceptionally well played, carefully mixed (with the exception that the vocal part is a bit TOO present occasionally) and recorded to preserve the intimacy of the setting. All in all, a good collection for fans, and not a bad choice for the casual listener who doesn't know this rep well."

A living angel

Antonio Mustaros | Naucalpan, Estado de México Mexico | 09/16/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Like all Scholl's recordings, this a great musical treasure. No countertenor or female contralto has the purity, the clean and transparent tone of this living angel. This english renaissance music fits very well the soft and tender voice of Scholl and the flowing arrangements for lute an viola da gamba. There are some instrumental pieces of viol ensemble and lute that enrich this shining sun of sounds. Superb."

Singing that belongs to the other world.

Abel | Hong Kong | 03/16/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Andreas Scholl's singing has been developing year by year.

In this more recent release, his singing style moved more and more towards pure art with no traces of pretenses or technical showmanship, no excessive vibrato or wild coloraturas. He did not even need to target at 'perfect vocal production'.

All these have become secondary stuff when you reach this level of artistry.

The other-wordliness of this album has to be heard to be catched. The accompaniments are scarce, and the voice becomes the sole focus in most vocal tracks (there are about half a dozen instrumental tracks).

There is also a timelessness in the interpretation by Scholl of Dowland's songs. It could well be Joan Baez who's singing; the timbres are not that dissimilar. It is exactly at this point when simplicity matters alone that true greatness surfaces.

Shorn of all flambouyancy, all embellishment, the musicality of the singer dictates the outcome in entirety.

It needs greatness to master simplicity, and Herr Scholl succeeds admirably here."