Winterreise, D911 [74:33]
Gerald Finley (baritone)
Julius Drake (piano)
rec. All Saints Church, East Finchley, London, 26-28 February 2013. DDD.
Booklet with texts and translations included
HYPERION CDA68034 [74:33]
I am a huge admirer of Gerald Finley and recognise his versatility in
everything from Wagner to the Baroque. The voice is intrinsically beautiful
and produced with extraordinary evenness and steadiness, with no grinding
gear-changes or over-emphases.
However, it is that very concern for legato and the restraint of his expression
which for me constitute an element of blandness in this recording. For
some, the more overt and quasi-operatic manner of Kaufmann
or Florian
Boesch - both of whose recent Winterreise releases I have
previously very enthusiastically reviewed - provides more variety and
interest than Finley's restrained approach.
Not that his delivery of the text is in any way inexpressive; his German
is superb and his nuancing of dynamics often very moving. He is, however,
reluctant to provide the listener with anything so vulgar as a full voice,
preferring to adopt a smaller-scale interpretative stance. All of this
is very much a question of taste; he is ably partnered by an experienced
accompanist who is sometimes rather more animated than his singer. Nonetheless,
I can well understand how some might prefer Finley and have no quarrel
with that, especially given the beauty of his mezza voce, complemented
by secure, resonant low notes, a lightly flecked upper range and perfect
intonation. Personally, I derive more pleasure from the greater exuberance
of baritones such as Boesch, Allen and Hynninen. Admirers of Finley -
of which there must and should be legion - will not be disappointed.
Ralph Moore
Previous reviews: John
Quinn (February 2014 Recording of the Month) ~~ Brian
Wilson
Masterwork Index: Winterreise
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