Search - Ferrier :: Kathleen Ferrier / Historical Recordings 1947-1952

A beautiful 'booming' voice

06/24/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"My grandmother knew Kathleen Ferrier before she rose to international prominence. I won't bother you with the details of life in North England, but she remembers Miss Ferrier's voice as 'booming.' Perhaps this is not an entirely flattering description, but it was well meant. Ferrier had a beautiful voice with immaculate control and immense strength, a rare trait amongst British opera singers. All these tracks are what you might expect from this fine voice, but of particular merit is her rendition of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder. Her voice is mesmerisingly haunting and beautiful. Of course with this monumental voice there are always problems with recording quality. Due to her tragic, untimely death her short career is only captured by imperfect devices. It is worth it, however, for such beauty. If you're buying it for the Kindertotenlieder, however, I would recommend the later recording buy Dame Janet Baker. Baker was another fine English voice, but as a mezzo she produces a better tone in the higher range of these songs. She offers very similar timbre and a flawless recording with that great master Barbiroli and the Halle orchestra."