The Harmonious Echo is a thoroughly entertaining album… Congratulations to the always innovative Chandos team for issuing it
The Harmonious Echo: Songs By Sir Arthur Sullivan
Chandos, out Friday
Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert’s comic operas have given Sullivan’s brilliant tunes immortality, but at a price; the near total neglect of the rest of his output, much of which he valued more highly.
This splendid double album of Sullivan’s songs, mainly composed pre-Gilbert, are a satisfying listen. They are well sung by a fine British quartet, including the mezzo Kitty Whately, daughter of Kevin of Inspector Morse and Lewis fame, to whom is entrusted the only well-known (or once it was) piece, the mawkish but memorable The Lost Chord.
The whole thing is brilliantly ringmastered by the pianist David Owen Norris, whose lively playing is a constant joy, and who also contributes some erudite notes.
This splendid double album of Sullivan’s songs, mainly composed pre-Gilbert, are a satisfying listen. They are well sung by a fine British quartet, including the mezzo Kitty Whately
As a teenager Sullivan went to Leipzig on the first Mendelssohn Scholarship, sponsored by Queen Victoria and Prince Albert. Some of his teachers there had also taught Brahms, and deemed Sullivan the more talented.
Sadly, nothing here really stands that up, but this is a thoroughly entertaining album. Congratulations to the always innovative Chandos team for issuing it.