Search - Valerie Botwright, Anthony Chidell, Gavin Edwards :: Voices in Night: Choral Works

Get Shaw instead

Paul J. Vest | 10/29/1998

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Although it is nice to have access to some of these seldom-heard pieces on a major label, I find that Gardiner's conducting, as well as the singing, is irrevocably mannered and shrill. His tempos make no sense in terms of what's going on in the score, and some of the choral "effects" he gets from the singers are absurd. This is a repertory that is sore need of rediscovery, so it's nice to have a choice in recordings. But the Shaw disc (Schubert Songs for Male Chorus) is light years agead of this one, with sensitive tempos and truly nuanced singing: i.e. rich, adult voices versus Gardiner's shrill boy-choir sound."

Gardiner's Choral Conducting

Paul J. Vest | Branchville, Alabama | 04/13/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Though I have not myself heard Mr. Shaw's recording I can still give my honest opinion of Gardiner's recording of these Schubert works. All of these pieces came alive in very distinct ways. Gardiner masterfully understands the path of the musical phrase and follows it very faithfully to the intent of the composer. As usual the Monteverdi Choir is perfect in unison and seamless in transition. Especially in 'Gesang der Geister' does the mellow sound of the low strings combine with the male voices for a very introspective sound. This recording is very important to have--you are unlikely to find this collection recorded very often elsewhere."