Search - Kringelborn, Martineau :: Black Roses

A fine recital

G.D. | Norway | 05/18/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Whereas the songs of Grieg and Sibelius are well represented on disc and easily available (both are given complete on BIS, for instance) the Nielsen and Rangström ones enjoy far less currency - although I strongly urge anyone even remotely interested to try and obtain the Nielsen songs from Dacapo; they are truly remarkable, ample evidence for which is provided by the selection here.



The Rangström songs that open the disc are also very fine; the very first one, "The Only Moment" is hauntingly evocative and finely shaped and characterized by Kringelborn and Martineau - sensitively sung and full of life and character. In the "Prayer to the Night" the performance doesn't quite replace von Otter's, but it is still very satisfactorily done, as are the other, frankly lesser songs. The Grieg songs are very fine indeed - again von Otter is the most obvious comparison, and the latter does admittedly bring more character and profundity to these songs, but to Norwegian ears Kringelborn does of course have an advantage in terms of idiomatic pronounciation (the difference between Norwegian and Swedish might not be greater than to allow many to be fluent in both languages, but the famous von Otter Grieg recital does exhibit, at least intermittently, some idiosyncracies). The Sibelius songs are perhaps a tad less successful, being overall a little short on color and depth. But the Nielsen songs - and they are indeed true gems - come off well, even though they sound (if I am to consistently adopt a very critical mood) a little too cautious at times.



In sum, this is a very fine recital, though. If some songs sound a little bloodless in Kringelborn's performances, they are at least beautifully sung, and Martineau's accompaniment is impeccable. Recommended."