The Voice of Janet Baker

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VAUGHAN WILLIAMS / IRELAND / SCHUMANN / SCHUBERT / BRAHMS / etc
The Voice of Janet Baker
Janet Baker (mezzo-soprano) with Martin Isepp & Ernest Lush (piano)

[ Heritage / 2 CD ]

Release Date: Thursday 20 August 2015

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Through her many recordings, Dame Janet Baker's voice has been a constant presence in the lives of millions of people, so it is amazing to contemplate that she last sang in opera at Glyndebourne in 1982 and retired altogether in 1989, aged only 56. These two compact discs take us back to the beginning of her recording career, when she was in her late 20s and early 30s but already an experienced, accomplished singer. Two recordings for the SAGA label were made in the early 1960s, both of which feature here. The most important is perhaps the LP of English songs since she never returned to any of them on record. The lieder recital abounds with beautiful technique and tone. The two SAGA recordings are supplemented by a 1960 recital she made for the BBC Third Programme with Ernest Lush.

'This Baker collection was and remains iconic… her voice is powerful, towering… Her tone is honey itself and if meticulous attention to the shaping and articulation of the words can now at times sound precious Baker's musicality and intelligence carry the day. Her reading of the Schumann cycle is one of radiance but also depth, the steady unfolding of heartfelt love. It is one of the great Frauenliebes on disc… this is a record of glorious lieder singing, beautifully accompanied with a warm-toned piano.' - Music-Web International, July 2015

Tracks:

Brahms:
Die Mainacht, Op. 43 No. 2
Das Mädchen spricht, Op. 107 No. 3
Nachtigall, Op. 97 No. 1
Von ewiger Liebe, Op. 43 No. 1 (recorded in 1965 for SAGA)
Von ewiger Liebe, Op. 43 No. 1 (BBC studio recital, broadcast 7/2/61)
Heimweh, Op. 63 No. 8
O kühler Wald, Op. 72 No. 3
Geheimnis, Op. 71 No. 3
Nachtwandler, Op. 86 No. 3
Wir wandelten, wir zwei zusammen Op. 96/2
Meerfahrt, Op. 96 No. 4
Ständchen, Op. 106 No. 1
Ein Wanderer, Op. 106 No. 5
Regenlied (No. 3 from Acht Lieder und Gesänge, Op. 59)
Das Mädchen spricht, Op. 107 No. 3
Mädchenlied, Op. 107 No. 5
Mondnacht, WoO 21
Auf dem Kirchhofe, Op. 105 No. 4

Dunhill:
The Cloths of Heaven, Op. 30/3

Finzi:
Come away, come away, death
It was a lover and his lass (No. 5 from Let us garlands bring, Op. 18)

Gibbs, C A:
By a Bierside
Love is a Sickness, Op. 44/1

Gurney:
Sleep
I will go with my father a-ploughing

Head, M:
A Piper

Howells:
King David
Come Sing and Dance

Ireland:
A Thanksgiving
Her song

Schubert:
Heimliches Lieben D922 (Klenke)
Minnelied D429 (Holty)
Die abgeblühte Linde, D514
Der Musensohn, D764 (Goethe)

Schumann:
Frauenliebe und -leben, Op. 42

Vaughan Williams:
The Call (No. 4 from Five Mystical Songs)
Youth and Love

Warlock:
Balulalow
Youth