Academy of Ancient Music
John Andrews conductor
RESONUS RES10383
Knowing that Sullivan wrote a considerable number of what are often called ‘art’ songs for voice and piano, I was quite surprised to discover that this unique recording features a well-known ‘early music’ ensemble and, largely, songs from the operettas composed with W. S. Gilbert, in fact seven of them.
Writing in the excellent booklet, John Andrews tells us that ‘for half the album we have scrupulously reproduced the orchestral forces at Sullivan’s disposal’, hence I suppose, using this particular orchestra.
But looking first at the unusual pieces, we are offered extracts from the more ‘serious’ side of Sullivan – It is the sea from The Golden Legend, a cantata from 1886 with a libretto based on Longfellow’s poem. Also Refrain thy voice from weeping from The Light of the World from 1873, based on the life of Christ, and also How many hired servants from the even less well-known The Prodigal Son of 1869, first performed at Worcester Cathedral.
No collection of Sullivan songs could possibly be without The Lost Chord, said to have been composed at the bedside of his dying brother, Fred, in 1877. A rare item is The Drinking Song from Sullivan’s last work for the stage The Rose of Persia with words by Basil Hood.
The booklet essay takes us through the music chronologically, although it is not recorded in the that order. David Webb does not do all of the work himself. Charles Rice joins him in a terrific rendition of We’re called Gondolieri and Jennifer Francis, whose vibrato is more than one might possibly appreciate, is a quite coy Yum-Yum in Were you not to Koko plighted from the Mikado and a more romantic Rose in The battle’s roar is over from Ruddigore.
I mostly like David Webb’s approach to this music and it’s good to find such fine performers taking this music seriously. As mostly one encounters G and S in well-meaning amateur performances, but there are occasions when he could be a little less serious and more amusing I feel.
The main booklet essay is headed Sullivan’s Life and Tenors so it’s an excellent choice to include, from Utopia Ltd, A Tenor, all singers above, in which he wittily points out the things which cause him anguish like ‘a fluttering bosom’ or a top G so that he can’t ‘do himself justice’. Webb excels in this amusing song.
Much enjoyment here then, and I heartily recommend this disc despite some small caveats.
Review by Gary Higginson