This enterprising private
recording was originally reviewed for
Respighi Society News. I would
suggest that this extended review is
read in conjunction with the
interview with Helena Kean on this
site. The interview centres on how she
came to know and love the music of Ottorino
Respighi. The present album includes
two of that composer’s songs - Notte
and Storia Breve - both settings
of texts by Ada Negri. They are enchanting
and melodic proving once again – as
if any proof was necessary – that there
is far more to Respighi than just The
Pines of Rome
In all these widely
diverse songs Ms Kean’s diction is assured;
she was formally trained as a linguist
and speaks six foreign languages: Spanish,
French, German and Italian, Greek and
Russian. Her voice has a youthful purity,
especially attractive in its mid-to-lower
range. Her choice of repertoire demonstrates
impressive versatility and her voice
is nicely expressive. She is ably supported
by Graham Jackson.
Helena Kean studied
with contralto and teacher, Jean Allister
and works with voice coach Mary Seaford
in Lancashire. She has also studied
with Stephen Varcoe, Margaret Cable
and Tim Barrett at Hereford International
Summer School and with Peter Gellhorn,
Marjorie Thomas and Anthony Hocking.
Helena often works
in collaboration with her mother who
is a photographer and lecturer. They
have combined their talents to create
unique multi-media arts presentations
(www.music-and-images.co.uk)
Their innovative combination of classical
song recitals with illustrated lectures
on cultural aspects and photographic
exhibitions has prompted their nomination
for a Royal Philharmonic Society Award
for bringing new audiences to classical
music. Their programmes include: Spain:
Heart of Fire; Italia Classica;
La Belle france; Kean on Shakespeare;
Austria: Music and Majesty; and
A Garland for Christmas.
It is from the music
for these presentations that this appealing
programme has been compiled. The selection
touches on both the familiar and not
so familiar.
In addition to the
two Respighi songs I would just mention
a few I particularly enjoyed: the sensual,
languid atmosphere of the Debussy songs,
the dreamy romanticism of Rachmaninov’s
How fair is this place, the vibrant
Spanish rhythms and colours of Jesus
Guridi’s Como quieres que adivine,
the wry humour of Madeleine Dring’s
jazzy Crabbed age and youth,
Roger Quilter’s merry setting of
Shakespeare’s When daffodils begin
to peer, Michael Head’s lovely
Christmas lullaby, A slumber song
of the Madonna and the vocal challenges
of Poulenc’s humorous Le Bestiaire
evocations
An enjoyable privately
recorded recital sung with freshness
and charm.
Ian Lace
Helena Kean (mezzo); Graham Jackson (piano)
