This live recording from a 1984 recital at the Royal Opera House is released
as a tribute to the much-loved accompanist Geoffrey Parsons, whose untimely
death shocked the musical world. Hugo Wolf composed these songs in groups
from 1890 to1896, so it is not inappropriate to perform selections, although
recitals of the Italian Songbook, always shared by two singers, often comprise
all 44 songs in the two volumes. There are, of course, many fine studio
recordings by the greatest lieder singers, but there is a particular charm
in a live performance as well captured as this, even though it is short measure
at 53 mins.
None of these miniatures lasts much more than two minutes, and the poems
are variously romantic, ironical and sometimes witty, often with surprise
endings. Lovers worship and revile each other by turns. The Italian Songbook
is a good introduction to the world of lieder for the surprisingly many music
lovers who listen mainly to orchestral music and shy away from song. Balance
is excellent, both singers are in fine voice, and the palpable enjoyment
of the audience at some of the humorous punch lines is apparent from time
to time. This is a splendid memento of Geoffrey Parsons and I was particularly
happy to hear Thomas Allen in his prime.
Reviewer
Peter Grahame Woolf
Ileana Cotrubas, Thomas
Allen and Geoffrey Parsons
