Search - Jochen Kowalski, Philharmonic Art Ensemble :: Weihnachten (Christmas)

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 01/07/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"PLENTY OF DEVOTION, BUT NOT MUCH EMOTION!

Jochen Kowalski is a German countertenor, much sought after internationally. His voice is sonorous, flexible and clear. However, both singer and the Philharmonic Art Ensemble left me feeling rather bereft and unmoved by it all.



The selections were well-chosen (all in German-no translations); some were familiar such as "O Holy Night"- 'Lo, How a Rose E'er Blooming'-'Adeste Fidelis'- 'In Dulci Jubilo' etc. Kowalski seemed to try at times to 'stir things up' a bit, but the Orchestra did not respond.



However, the recording is not poorly done for Kowalski has a truly lovely-sounding voice, so I cannot say that I derived nothing from it. I think I just expected more because of other albums I have with him, such as the German Opera Record, which is absolutely fabulous!



It would have been nice if 'Capriccio' had at least translated some of the German unfamiliar songs. I spent half the time looking up words in my German dictionary!!!!"