August 1995

The Vagabond - Vaughan Williams: Songs of Travel (1904); Finzi: Let us garlands bring (1940); Ireland: Masefield settings (1913; 1919); Butterworth: A Shropshire Lad (1911-12) - Bryn Terfel (baritone); Malcolm Martineau (piano) - Deutsche Grammophon 445 946-2 - 77:11 DDD

This release serves English Song gloriously well. Bryn Terfel's Deutsche Grammophon disc is a showcase recital - artist-based and packaged as such. Terfel has already been a keen and effective ambassador for Welsh song in his recitals around the world; likewise this well-planned collection of music from across the border will surely enthrall and enlighten a worldwide audience - significantly via a major non-English label - and immeasurably broaden this sometimes elusive genre's appeal in the process.

The directness of Terfel's communication hits you hard. It's as if he's saying "no, don't sit back thinking that this is just another delightfully innocuous English song - you must listen to this." Every risk is taken, every color and shade - from nobly dark, coarse-grained full-voice to whispered parlando - is employed. Every note, every word, every dynamic marking is given all the weight and emphasis you could ever imagine, and more. The pianissimo conclusion of Ireland's "Fear no more" is daringly quiet. Gruff, nutty ugliness is skillfully used for effect, and the contrast in timbre and volume he achieves in Butterworth's "Is my team ploughing"? is overwhelming in its extremity. Some, I dare say, will find such characterization over the top, but I think Terfel more than gets away with it; one just can't but admire such consummate control and artistry, such authority and presence. Together with Malcolm Martineau's richly recorded, flexible accompaniment, this is totally accomplished, totally satisfying music-making.

- Meurig Bowen