This is one of my favourite CDs of all time.
Monica Groop’s voice is perfect and her interpretations
are real, convincing and never extreme. She is a Finnish mezzo, with
matchless contralto qualities, and studied at the Sibelius Academy in
Helsinki graduating in 1985. Two years later she made her opera debut
with the Finnish Opera Company as Charlotte in Werther. She was a stunning
success in the 1989 Cardiff Singer of the Year competition and later
sang several Mozart roles in Europe She is not a limited singer or restricted
in any way. She has sung Wagner under Haitink and the Composer in Ariadne
auf Naxos in Paris under Armin Jordan. She is very fine indeed in
early and baroque music as well as song cycles by Mahler, Debussy and
Berlioz. She sang the contralto part in Messiah at a Prom a few
years ago but the televised highlights did not include her solos!
Love Derwinger is a good pianist. He made his debut
at 17 playing Liszt’s formidable Second Piano Concerto. He is, in my
opinion, preferable to Bengt Forsberg who accompanies Anne Sofie von
Otter on other BIS CDs of Sibelius songs (reviews to follow).
The first song is The Fool’s Song of the Spider
Op 27 no.4 first performed in 1898, the only vocal number in the
King Christian II Suite. It is eminently singable with a memorable
vocal line combining nobility with earnestness. The piano part has excellent
tonal contrast and filigree passages. The approaches to the musical
climaxes are convincing.
This is followed by Five Christmas Songs, Op 1,
written between 1895 and 1909. They are simple in design and some may
think them slightly banal. The first song is secular, Christmas stands
at the snowy gate. Groop captures the humour and she also captures
the stillness of the subject in a clarity of diction that I can only
wonder at. Now Christmas has Come has a warmth and spirituality
with the comfort of a glowing and kind hearth. Outside it is growing
dark is also beautifully sung with Groop's faultless diction and
intonation and the piano part is well put across.
As the darkness lightens
for Our Lord Jesus
Who came to lighten the world.
Give me no splendour, gold or pomp has become
a popular carol in Finland which is surprising as it is rather slow.
But it takes a great singer to sing slowly and not falter. Groop is
perfect. High are the Snowdrifts is another simple song in five
verses which may lack variation but it is beautifully realised.
The Eight Songs to texts by Ernst Josephson Op 57
are largely nature poems. Of course, Sibelius was a brilliant man
interested in the sciences and nature. His magnificent elemental tone
poem Tapiola is a clear indication of his love of nature. But
to these songs. The River and the Snail has a splendid attack
and Groop’s rich low notes are simply stunning, really spine-tingling.
In fact the clarity throughout her register is amazing and her voice,
even in quiet passages, is never weak. The purity and intonation at
the top of her range is also faultless. Listen for the humour as well
- subtle and quite moving. A Flower stood by the wayside is a
lovely song of a basic essential, friendship. The Mill Wheel has
a fascinating pounding piano part. The turning wheel covered in tar
becomes tired and the music changes. It is a song of much colour and
we are reminded here of another one of Groop's qualities, her staggering
breath control. Her gradual fading of notes, a very difficult discipline,
is another dream. In May, Spring has come after the storms of
winter. Women gossip more in the sunshine than they do freezing around
a stove. This song has a satisfying onward motion and the final lines
are truly memorable. I am a Tree talks of the naked tree in winter
wanting to be covered by the cold white snow. You can feel the cold
and those low penetrating notes are superb. Is there a hint of a funeral
march? Duke Magnus is a difficult song to bring off as the parts
are so diverse but, again, the changing colours add to its fascination
although I have to say it is not one of my favourites. The Flower
of Friendship reintroduces a previous theme. The balsam of a flower
heals the wounds of the heart. This is a strong song of dark passion.
Who could forget this vocal line and the superlative way it is realised?
The Watersprite is a dramatic song with an obstinate piano part.
It may hint at Schubert’s Death and the Maiden.
Hymn to Thais is the only song Sibelius wrote
in English. I am not sure this song works but it does capture an old
style and has the favour of a hymnody . Thrill at Groop’s top notes
as I did. Very impressive.
The first two songs of the Six Songs Op 72 are lost and so we
begin with number three, The Kiss, first performed in
1918.
Pass me the chalice of your lovely lips
Although the drink it gives me
Always, with the brightest joy, mixes
The torment of loss!
When you kiss, fresh as the west wind
Blowing across flowering meadows
Pretty a rose in bud, came to my
Captive Soul
The words are by Viktor Rydberg. That Sibelius set them, and other such
tender songs, seems at variance with those awful pictures we see of Sibelius
as a bald, menacing, forbidding individual. Yes, he did have a drink problem
but, for a few years after the splendid Sixth Symphony, (what a
great work that is) he was an abstainer. Later he went back to his brandy
and cigars. He was a family man with five daughters who all adored him.
Note the variety in Groop’s tone and how effective it is. The phrase 'Pretty
as a rose in bud’ is quite sublime but the whole performance is sheer
perfection.
The Echo Nymph has a simplicity that is disarming where the cold
Nordic sunlight is realised. Nor should we forget the very attentive and
sensitive pianist who never sets out to dominate. Listen to how well Groop
performs the echoes and her dramatic content is very thrilling. The
Wayfarer and the Stream is a light and almost lively song. A Hundred
Ways is solemn and human song.... very deeply, deeply felt.
Great Creator forgive me
Good God, do not look upon me with anger,
Because, so often in your temple,
I also think of him!
The Six Songs Op. 86 date from 1916. The quality of them
varies. Some songs are rather bare. Hidden Union and And There
is a Thought, are slow and uneventful, although beautifully
sung whereas The Coming of Spring has a strange joy and another
memorable tune. Have we forgotten that Sibelius wrote good tunes?
Longing is my heritage is a song where again one marvels at its
simplicity. The excellent communication skill that Groop has works with
great conviction and in the difficult slow and sustained music she is
never strained or under pressure.
Resound O sorrowful strings
My companions in halls of dreams
Longing is my heritage
The castle in the valley of loss
Another memorable vocal line is in The Singer’s Reward and
Ye sister, Ye brothers almost dances.
The recital ends with The Little Girls - written in the style
of a waltz. Infectious! Great fun!
A marvellous CD. Agreed not all the songs are gems but the singer is!
Definitely one of my desert island discs
David Wright
Monica Groop (mezzo) Love
Derwinger (piano)