Search - Charles Gounod, Johann Sebastian Bach, George Frederick Handel :: Sacred Songs

Despite a couple of misses, a compelling album

A. C. Hughes | Pulaski, TN USA | 11/02/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As a voice and choral instructor, I have always been intrigued by artists who attempt music for which they are not primarily known. Renee Fleming is a superb operatic soprano. She had fun with "Haunted Heart", though I found some of the arrangements to be trite and at times totally out of the original style; it was literally saved by the final "Hard Times Come Again No More".

So I am doubly delighted with this album. Certainly, every one of these pieces has been recorded by a plethora of artists, and yes a couple of the arrangements are saccharine (I do agree that the addition of the flute in "Panis Angelicus" is superfluous and detracts from the beauty of the Franck piece),

but I think the Handel "Dank Sei Dir Herr" is breathtaking and most of the album is truly wonderful. Susan Graham is another of my favorite singers and the duet from "Hansel and Gretel" is

memorable. As for its being too heavy, the Humperdinck orchestration for "Hansel and Gretel" is as thick as anything Wagner ever wrote.

As for "Amazing Grace", which so many have trashed, this arrangement shows the folk quality of it, and I find nothing objectionable in Mark O'Connor's violin playing. The hymn itself has been played to death and is one of the favorite hymns of many people world-wide; I feel that she does it justice.

It is an album that I will listen to often...with some reservations but the whole a fine effort."

Surrender to the Voice of La Suprema

pastre | edinburgh,UK | 10/05/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The most prolific and gorgeous among all sopranos has released this collection of spitritual songs and true to her craft, has again stunned audiences with her pitch perfect golden tone, though her voice seems too creamy to some sone songs. I've always loved Emma Kirkby's "nun-like" version of Laudate Dominum. Curiously, when Madama takes over territories she hasn't trod before, she does always emerge triumphant. I think this is a hallmark of a genius. Yes, this isn't her masterpiece but still, it is La Suprema Fleming and even her harshest critics have to bow to the fact that Madama's voice ranks number one bar none.



I play the cd to relax and indulge. Ms Fleming is in her mid 40's but her voice doesn't show any hint of decline. Brava La Suprema! Brava!"

Simple Gifts

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/27/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though the title of this newest release from the prodigious output of Renee Fleming may suggest a recording of hymns and down-home revival songs, nothing could be further from the truth. This collection of sixteen works is gleaned from sacred music through the centuries and gives Fleming the opportunity to include in her recorded repertoire works she might otherwise not have had the opportunity to sing. While those who appreciate her gifts as a musician will treasure this very straightforward approach to some beautiful excerpts, there will be the usual detractors who find Fleming's glamour on the stage non-transferable to the CD. And it would be a shame to pass this recital by on that premise.



Fleming is in fine voice, free of mannerisms, and elegant in phrasing in a wide range of works by Handel ('Rejoice greatly', 'He shall feed his flock'), Bach ('Herz und Mund und Tat und Leben'), both Gounod's and Schubert's 'Ave Maria', Mozart ('Laudate dominum' from the Solemn Vespers and 'Laudamus te' from the Great Mass), Bernstein's Mass ('A Simple Song'), Fauré ('Pie Jesu'), Poulenc ('Domine Deus' from the Gloria), Franck ('Panis Angelicus'), and other composers. She even includes the 'Evening Prayer' from Humperdinck's 'Hänsel und Gretel' with exquisite surprise gift of support from Susan Graham.



The recital is conducted by Andreas Delfs with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra. Far from being a crossover ploy this album is a collection of beautiful music beautifully sung. Grady Harp, September 05"