This is an EP designed to promote the Latvian soprano
Inessa Galante. Everything is subservient to her, from the copious biography
that shunts a description of the pieces to a tiny corner of the sleeve
notes (there may be someone more interested in her gig at a famous Thames-side
restaurant than the music of Bach, but I wouldn’t want to meet them),
to the soppy arrangements of baroque arias. Fair enough, she is hardly
the first diva to be given a bigger billing than the music. But is she
worth it? Yes and no. She sings tunefully and melodiously, although
there is very little style to the singing to distinguish it from the
bunch. Diction is not especially clear, and there is the occasional
forced note.
It is difficult for a "serious" listener
not to sound disparaging about the kind of music that is synonymous
with Classic FM, so I won’t even try. There is no shame in enjoying
pleasant music inoffensively presented, and this is indeed pleasant.
Unfortunately it does not stand up to any closer inspection. The vocalise
of Albinoni’s Adagio is frankly bizarre, sounding like lost aria from
Tosca. The Bach arias swim in a soup of vibrato, and the Caccini is
comical to anyone expecting anything from the 16th Century.
Everything is old fashioned – gloriously or hideously depending upon
your disposition – and everything is reduced to a tune over a lush accompaniment.
There is nothing here for a specialist collector, but it will tickle
the ear of Auntie May.
Aidan Twomey
There is nothing here for a specialist collector, but
it will tickle the ear of Auntie May. … see Full Review
Inessa GALANTE (soprano)