The three song cycles on this album were composed by
Benjamin Britten
with his personal and professional partner, tenor
Peter Pears
, in mind, although one,
Les Illuminations
, was dedicated to and premiered by soprano
Sophie Wyss
.
Pears
was never a powerhouse tenor like others of his day, and
Britten
, who certainly understood his voice better than anyone else, kept this in mind; the vocal dimensions of these songs, although explored in great detail, are modest. Tenor
Andrew Staples
follows
' vocal guidelines and produces an exceptionally fine recording of these cycles, with sensitive support from the
Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
under
Daniel Harding
and, in the
Serenade for tenor, horn, and strings, Op. 31
, from hornist
Christopher Parkes
. His gentle, perfectly controlled, slightly melancholy performance is a standout. The
Nocturne for tenor, seven obbligato instruments, and strings, Op. 60
., is less commonly heard than the other two cycles but clearly shows
developing the ideas contained in those, and here, too, is a standout performance. Sensitive to the texts, with that indefinable mix of British tradition and a personal kind of melancholy lyricism, this is an excellent
song release, rightfully rewarded with classical best-seller status in the late summer of 2022. ~ James Manheim