Search - Vaughan Williams, Golden, Rothfuss :: Songs

Decent survey with a few minor blemishes

G.D. | Norway | 02/10/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is, in general, a nice survey of Vaughan Williams songs, and - to add a further point in its favor - it dovetails the Naxos disc reissued from Collins with very few overlaps (as pointed out in reviews elsewhere). The performers are probably unknown to most people, but they acquit themselves generally quite well. I should also add that I acquired this in a reissue from Decca in their English Music series, but these are the same performances.



Now, Ruth Golden's voice can be a little wearisome and harsh at times, but in the most important group of songs - the Four Last Songs - she is impressive. On the other hand, Linden Lea suffers (it is anyway better suited to the male voice), which is a pity as it undeniably is among the better songs here. The Fredegond Shove songs are generally finely done as well, and the rarely performed Housman cycle (not Vaughan Williams at his best) comes across as very satisfyingly performed.



Accompaniment and sound quality is generally fine, and this well-filled selection is very worthwhile, despite a few minor misgivings."