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	Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Voice Genre: Classical English counter-tenor Alfred Deller was almost single-handedly responsible for the renaissance of music for counter-tenor in the 20th century. Hw was also a pioneer in popularizing the practice of authentic early music per... more » « less
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Title: Alfred Deller - Portrait of a Voice
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: Harmonia Mundi
Original Release Date: 1/1/2009
Re-Release Date: 6/9/2009
Album Type: Classical, Color, DVD, Import, NTSC
Genre: Classical
Style:
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 794881911790

Synopsis

Product Description

English counter-tenor Alfred Deller was almost single-handedly responsible for the renaissance of music for counter-tenor in the 20th century. Hw was also a pioneer in popularizing the practice of authentic early music performance. During the early years of his career, Deller concentratred on performing English Baroque and pre-Baroque composers such as Purcell and Dowland. His scholarship and musicianship brought him international admiration. In 1950, Deller formed his own vocal and instrumental ensemble, the Deller Consort. From 1955 until 1979 they toured internationally, bringing the music of the Renaissance and Baroque to a new public. During this period, Deller and company made over 50 recordings for Harmonia Mundi. His uniquely expressive voice brought him legions of admirers and his discs are still highly prized by collectors. In 1975, Benoit Jacquot, then a very young director, met up with Deller to make this documentary-interview, which offers one of the very few filmed documents of the most famous counter-tenor of the modern era. The DVD is accompanied by a CD featuring studio recordings of some of the pieces sung in concert in the film.

CD Reviews

Deller Deserves Better

Michael Schulman | Toronto, Canada | 08/08/2009

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This DVD/CD package really doesn't do justice to the man who, back in the '40s & '50s, was responsible for re-establishing the artistic legitimacy of countertenorism after centuries of neglect. I was fortunate to hear, in person, Deller while he was in his prime, & still treasure - & play! - my now-antique LPs of Deller in his favorite repertoire of Purcell, Dowland & Elizabethan songs.

So I was disappointed when I bought & screened the DVD, a made-for-TV documentary from the mid-'70s, consisting mostly of an interview in which Deller explains & defends countertenorism. The interview is of historical rather than musical interest, now that countertenors like David Daniels, Graham Pushee, Daniel Taylor & so many others are, thanks mainly to Deller, no longer "curiosities" but taken for granted as integral features of today's musical scene.

The DVD also includes 5 English songs & scenes of Deller rehearsing madrigals with his Deller Consort. The singing on the DVD, as well as on the CD included with it, presents Deller late in his career, still a consummate artist though his voice, understandably, isn't as fresh-sounding as it once was.

At best, this set offers a historically significant memento of a major musical pioneer, but not representative of this great musician at his best."