COMPOSERS: Sibelius
LABELS: BIS
WORKS: Five Christmas Songs, Op. 1; Eight Songs, Op. 57; Six Songs, Op. 72; Six Songs, Op. 86
PERFORMER: Monica Groop (mezzo-soprano), Love Derwinger (piano)
CATALOGUE NO: CD-657 DDD
Ranging from the simple strophic Five Christmas Songs (1895-1913) to the dramatic and monumental Op. 57 songs (1909) or the gloriously lyrical Op. 86 songs (1916), this is a broad survey of Sibelius’s songs that betrays an eclectic range of influences. Young Finnish mezzo Monica Groop is a fine singer, her tone bright but warm, her manner unaffected; but her interpretations, though attractive, lack the sensitivity needed for really good lieder singing. Claire Wrathall
Sibelius: Five Christmas Songs, Op. 1; Eight Songs, Op. 57; Six Songs, Op. 72; Six Songs, Op. 86
Ranging from the simple strophic Five Christmas Songs (1895-1913) to the dramatic and monumental Op. 57 songs (1909) or the gloriously lyrical Op. 86 songs (1916), this is a broad survey of Sibelius’s songs that betrays an eclectic range of influences. Young Finnish mezzo Monica Groop is a fine singer, her tone bright but warm, her manner unaffected; but her interpretations, though attractive, lack the sensitivity needed for really good lieder singing. Claire Wrathall
Published: January 20, 2012 at 2:31 pm