The Brazilian-born Waldemar
Henrique, whose name and music were new to
me, has pride of place in this selection of Brazilian and Latin-American
songs. In fact Montsalvatge is the only European
composer represented here … and this by his beautiful Cradle Song.
The thirteen songs are quite varied and range from the simple, direct,
folk-like essay to the more sophisticated art song. His music is fresh
and unpretentious, often moving in its simplicity and always quite attractive.
Much the same may be said
of the works by the other Brazilian composers, though Villa-Lobos is
clearly in another league. Canção Do Poeta
Século XVIII is a real gem completely new to me though
it and Vióla Quebrada
have been recorded by Teresa Berganza (CLAVES
CD 50-8401).
This interesting recital
ends with a “hit”, Velasquez’s Besame
Mucho. This has been arranged in many versions and has even
become a jazz standard recorded by several jazzmen and even by the Beatles!
I approached this disc
with much trepidation: much unfamiliar music mostly by equally unfamiliar
Latin-American composers with the added bonus of three rarely heard
songs by Villa-Lobos. However, I must report some disappointment, for
Annette Celine’s voice is no longer what is
used to be. It no longer has the suitable suppleness and firmness for
which these songs call. Quicker songs are often a problem and one clearly
feels that Christopher Gould, a fine pianist from what I can tell, must
quite often “put on the brakes” to keep apace with Celine.
I am sorry not to be able to register more enthusiasm about this potentially
promising release. A pity for this could have been a quite attractive
and enjoyable disc.
Hubert Culot
Annette
Celine (soprano); Christopher Gould (piano)