Search - Ivor Gurney, Julius Drake, Paul Agnew :: Severn Meadows: Songs by Ivor Gurney

Let some pleasing dreams beguile all my fancies...

Ingrid Heyn | Melbourne, Australia | 07/31/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I'm sorry the reviewer below felt it necessary to concentrate on the programme notes of this recording rather than the recording. Leaving aside any question of how or what caused the miserable end of Gurney's life, it is an inestimable pleasure to know that he left to the world a quanitity of songs which are gem-like in their miniature of human emotion, memory and almost calm imagery. They are indeed very English songs, but English artsong has nothing of which to be ashamed.



The songs on this album include the perfect "Sleep" as well as many other, more unfamiliar, Gurney songs. Listening to the very, very beautiful tenor voice of Paul Agnew sing these songs with delicacy and sincerity is a wonder. (I cannot fathom why the reviewer below found anything at which to cavil in the superb singing of these songs!) Agnew's voice is somewhat difficult to describe - it is of a pure sweetness that is yet very masculine, like the smooth trunk of a birch. It has an almost woody quality to it, that nearly reed-like purity of an oboe, perhaps, yet with the sonorousness of a cello in its upper register. It is an instantly recognisable timbre, a haut-contre voice that is not only immensely attractive but controlled in such a masterful and intelligent way.



Paul Agnew's approach to these songs is well-nigh perfect. I have played this particular CD several times, sighing with pleasure each time at the tone, the feeling and the beautiful phrasing.



Recommended without hesitation."