Second Nature - Katherine Jenkins

I received Second Nature, Katherine Jenkins’s second album, as a Christmas present. The past year has been very successful for this welsh songstress. Her debut album, Premiere reached number one in the UK classical charts in April of 2004 and stayed there for eight weeks. Second Nature was released on 18th October 2004 hit the number one slot in January of this year.

Katherine Jenkins rose from relative obscurity to become one of British’s ...
...this is only Katherine Jenkins’ second album. She delivers each song as if she were a seasoned performer. She instills all the necessary emotion and warmth into each track.
The mix of genres and styles ensure that there is something to please everyone. Although each of the songs is well known and has been covered by many before her, Katherine has adapted them (herself) imprinting them with her unmistakable stamp.

I thoroughly ... more

I received Second Nature, Katherine Jenkins’s second album, as a Christmas present. The past year has been very successful for this welsh songstress. Her debut album, Premiere reached number one in the UK classical charts in April of 2004 and stayed there for eight weeks. Second Nature was released on 18th October 2004 hit the number one slot in January of this year.

Katherine Jenkins rose from relative obscurity to become one of British’s rising stars. She’s blonde, slim and beautiful (as a glimpse at the cover will reveal); she’s intelligent (9 Grade A GCSEs, 4 A levels, an Honours degree in Music); she’s young (only 24 – what a potential future she could have) and she’s enormously talented (this mezzo soprano has a brilliant, crystal-clear and versatile voice).

Accompanied by the National Youth Choir of Wales, Katherine sings a mix of opera classic arias from Verdi, Bizet and Dovrak; compositions for musicals from Rodgers and Hammerstein and Ennio Morricone; some popular modern-day classics such as House Of No Regrets, Chi Mai and Time To Say Goodbye as well as a stunning rendition of the Welsh hymn Calon Lan.

The album opens with “Time To Say Goodbye” composed by Francesco Sartori and made popular as a duet by Sarah Brightman and Andrea Bocelli. Katherine does this romantic song ample justice as a soloist alternating between the original Italian and English lyrics. She sang this live on Children in Need, to great acclaim, followed by the next Carusa, also on the album.

On the album is a number of operatic pieces. Not all of them the usual solo soprano arias, as you would think. Katherine heads the rousing chorus, Va pensiero from Verdi's first successful opera, Nabucco. Written in 1842, the chorus of exiles relates the Biblical story of the captivity of the Hebrews in Babylon in the 6th century B.C. Emotionally sincere and strong, Katherine voice shines out over the accompanying chorus. She also sings the aria, “O Sole Mio”, traditionally performed by a tenor. Arranged for soprano the aria takes on a whole new aspect: strange at first but very enjoyable.

Of course there are some traditional soprano arias included. Bizet’s fiery aria “Sequidilla” from Carmen is sung with passion and fun: pure seduction. “Song to the Moon” from Dvorak’s opera Rusalka is haunting. Katherine shows great technical qualities attaining perfect pitch throughout.

Included on the album are a number of pieces taken from soundtracks of popular films. Ennio Morricone composed “House of no Regrets” for the film Chai mai. Katherine’s sings with great clarity and technical excellence. This song is exceptionally beautiful and very moving. The lyrics for “Vide cor meum” were taken from Dante’s La Vita Nuova. Patrick Cassidy composed the music for the film Hanibal. Salvatore Licitra accompanies Katherine in this amazing duet. “Hymn to the Fallen” composed by John Williams for the film Saving Private Ryan is given an emotional and soulful delivery by Katherine.

Accompanied by a Spanish guitar and orchestra, the vocal arrangement to Joaquin Rodrigo’s En Aranjuez Con Tu Amor is perfect for Katherine’s voice, sentimental and charming.
Also charming is the Barcarolle, composed by Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky, light and appealing. Sung in Tchaikovsky’s native Russian, Katherine’s enunciation is perfect.
The lyrics of the carol “ Oh Holy Night” were written by Placide Cappeau de Roquemaure in 184. and the music composed by Adolphe Charles Adams. The lyrics were later translated into English by John Sullivan Dwight. After listening to Katherine Jenkins sing this, I understand what people mean when they say “a voice of an angel”.

There of course had to be one Welsh song on the album. “Calon Lan” is a well-loved Welsh hymn composed by John Hughes with lyrics by Daniel James. Katherine sings it with purity and sincerity.

The final track is “You’ll Never Walk Alone” composed by Richard Rodgers with lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein for the musical Carousel. The song forms a tremendous crescendo to the album.

Listening to the album, it is hard to believe that this is only Katherine Jenkins’ second album. She delivers each song as if she were a seasoned performer. She instills all the necessary emotion and warmth into each track.
The mix of genres and styles ensure that there is something to please everyone. Although each of the songs is well known and has been covered by many before her, Katherine has adapted them (herself) imprinting them with her unmistakable stamp.

I thoroughly recommend this album. Katherine’s voice is perfect. Her adaptations of the songs delightful. I have listened to this album over and over again and never tire of it. I am convinced Katherine Jenkins will go from strength to strength. She has a great future ahead.

As I said, I received the album as a present but looking at Amazon, the album is available from £7.50.

To listen to a sample from the album log on to http://www.katherinejenkins.co.uk/ .
 

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