Gerald Finley & Julius Drake
Songs by Tchaikovsky, Musorgsky and Ned Rorem
Recorded live at Wigmore Hall,
£9.99
Complete CD Track Listing
- Tchaikovsky Songs
- Musorgsky 'Songs and Dances of Death'
- Ned
Rorem 'War Scenes'
About this CD
Gerald Finley, has just received a 2008 Gramophone Award for a recital of songs by Barber.
This imaginatively conceived recital, recorded in October 2007, brings together works by Tchaikovsky, Musorgsky – the quintessentially Russian Songs and Dances of Death – and Ned Rorem, born in Indiana in 1923; it also includes encores by Charles Ives, Einojuhani Rautavaara and Charles Wolseley.
Hilary Finch, speaking on BBC Radio 3’s CD Review programme, described this recital and CD as “Gerald Finley in his prime - I think he’s never sung better than he’s singing now”, and chose it as her favourite CD of 2008. In the same programme, Rob Cowan spoke of Julius Drake as “marvellous - the things he was finding in the piano part of that song I don’t think I’ve ever heard anybody bring out so much in Musorgsky’s piano writing”.
"It is with great sense of pride that this disc becomes the 25th release of the Wigmore Live series, in a musical partnership I have enjoyed for many years with Julius Drake. Performing at the Wigmore is always a highlight of any career. The others in the series are distinguished performers I have admired for years and the performances are wonderful. The audiences at the Wigmore are always welcoming and knowledgeable, and this atmosphere is captured perfectly. Already a fine catalogue, I hope the Wigmore Live series continues its honour roll" Gerald Finley
Performers
- Gerald Finley baritone
- Julius Drake piano
Track Listing
Tchaikovsky
Songs
1. Don Juan's Serenade - 2.54
2. It was in the Early Spring - 2.45
3. At the Ball - 2.39
4.
Whether the Day reigns - 3.39
5. The mild stars shone for us - 3.37
6. Only one who knows longing - 3.34
7.
As over burning Embers - 2.18
Musorgsky 'Songs and Dances of Death'
8. Lullaby
- 5.35
9. Serenade - 4.42
10. Trepak - 5.16
11. The Field Marshall - 6.20
Ned
Rorem 'War Scenes'
12. A Night Battle - 5.07
13. Specimen Case - 2.22
14. An Incident -
2.03
15. Inauguration Ball - 1.50
16. The real War will never get in the Books - 3.38
17. Announcement
18. ENCORE - Ives Memories - 3.46
19. Announcement
20. ENCORE - Rautavvarra
Shall I compare thee - 2.03
21. Announcement
22. ENCORE - Wolseley Charles Green Eyed Dragon
- 4.48
Reviews
"Gerald Finley can do no wrong at the moment, and this Wigmore Hall Live offering makes a cherishable keepsake of what was evidently a memorable event ... A packed auditorium listens in hushed captivation, and Tony Faulkner's truthful sound and balance convey a palpable sense of occasion. A genuine treat, this, and not to be missed" Gramophone
"This latest Wigmore Hall Live recording is among the finest so far, a really superb recital by this accomplished Canadian bass-baritone and his celebrated accompanist, Julius Drake ... Altogether a strongly recommended disc" BBC Music Magazine
"the unbroken line of pity and compassion that ran through the perfectly integrated registers of his voice (and in perfect Russian) led the heart with compelling intensity from the cradle to the field of battle ... Finley's finest hour was the magisterial and daring performance of Ned Rorem's prose settings of Walt Whitman's harrowing War Scenes" The Times
"this disc reinforces Gerald Finley's credentials as one of the finest non-native singers of Russian. Abetted by Julius Drake's dramatic, atmospheric playing, he combines burnished beauty of tone and unflinching emotional truth in Musorgsky's Songs and Dances of Death ... Relief comes courtesy of a clutch of witty encores, despatched by singer and pianist with virtuoso panache" The Daily Telegraph
"The 'Wigmore Hall Live' series reflects the high quality of chamber music and art-song available at this admirable venue. Many of the 25 CDs so far issued preserve events of special value (and at a reasonable price). This beautifully recorded example is certainly one of them" Classical Source
"Superb performances mark a landmark release for Wigmore Hall. The 25th release in Wigmore Hall's Live imprint proves to be a splendid recital by the Canadian bass-baritone Gerald Finley accompanied at the piano by the UK's own Julius Drake ... Finley is outstanding, with Drake providing knowing, nuanced accompaniment" HMV Choice
Product Details
- Cat. Number: WHLIVE0025
- Recorded: 18 October 2007