Benedictus - Bryn Terfel & Rhys Meirion

Advantages: Excellent debut album
Disadvantages: Spot the duff track...

.../Lesley Garrett/Bryn Terfel singing show songs end of the market (and that isn’t meant to be patronising, honest!). I suspect Hayley may also become an aspirational figure for teenage girls, and she may have a surprise pop hit on her hands here too. WOULD I LIKE TO RECEIVE IT AS A GIFT? I might be dubious (as I was), but I make a point of playing every CD I’m ever given, and I’ve been pleasantly surprised so many times I can’t count. IS IT A GOOD DEBUT ALBUM? Undoubtedly, yes. I have no idea how Hayley’s immediate career in this country will pan out, but this is a very promising first album. With a generous track listing (largely) well-performed, it bodes well. SUMMING UP If you like artists like those I mentioned in the gift section, performing light classical material, you should give this album a try. I like it, and I didn’t think I... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average helpful

Advantages: Good background listening
Disadvantages: Odd mixture of music on the Uplifting disc

...think) to the orchestral sections. 4 Mozart - 'Champagne Aria'. This is from the opera Don Giovanni and sung by Bryn Terfel. I'm afraid that personally I can't stand this one and would have to skip it. 5 Doyle - 'Non Nobis Domine'. This comes from the 1989 film of Henry V. It is quite an uplifting piece, with that distinctive full-bodied sound that a lot of film music seems to have. 6 Haydn - 'The Heavens are Telling the Glory of God'. This is from the oratorio The Creation. It's a more traditional choral track and for me it's one of the best pieces on the Uplifting CD. 7 Arne - 'Where the Bee Sucks'. Emma Kirkby is the soprano on this track, with the Academy of Ancient Music. The words are form Shakespeare's The Tempest. Thomas Arne was a British composer who also write out national anthem and Rule Britannia. Where would... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Some brilliant music
Disadvantages: Depends on your taste.

.... For the next one, anyone who has seen gladiator will know the tune - Now we are free- Hans Zimmer/Lisa Gerrard/Klaus Badelt. I find this music incredibly haunting. 5 is Maria Callas Suicidio! In questi fieri momenti. 6. Something Wonderful sung by Bryn Terfel - A fantastic piece of music from The King and I. I saw this film as a child and then a couple of years ago I was taken on a surprise visit to the London Palladium to see it on the stage. A must for any teacher it was truly Something Wonderful. I think Bryn Terfel has just the right voice for this song. 7. The Unknown Soldier (From the Doors Concerto) - Kennedy - this is truly a wonderful piece of violin playing and so moving. 8. What can I say about the next piece of music? To me just the name Pavrotti sends a tingle down my spine - his voice is fantastic it almost stops me... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful