English Folksongs And Lute Songs

The guitar music of eminent 20th-century British composer Benjamin Britten (1913–1976) comprises three works, all of them written with the great guitarist Julian Bream in mind. Two of these are sets of songs for high voice, for which Britten’s vocal model was of course the famous English tenor – and Britten’s long-time personal and professional partner – Peter Pears.

Beginning with his early decisions regarding the course of his vocal development and running through his selection of roles, repertoire, and recording programs, countertenor Andreas Scholl so far has tended to make effective and purposeful choices. This release featuring 17 English/Scottish/Irish/American folksongs is another success. Although the ambitious chamber orchestra arrangements by Craig Leon (who also produced the recording) sometimes threaten to overwhelm the simplicity–the very essence–of the songs, Scholl’s commanding–make that mesmerizing–way with these tunes and his warm, expressive voice ultimately carry the day and keep us focused on the melodies and their down-to-earth texts. This is possible not only because he loves the music (the program was Scholl’s idea) but because he delivers it so easily and freely, without affectation and in impeccable English.