The German countertenor Andreas Scholl takes risks on his latest CD, Wayfaring Stranger, and not all of them pay off. It is a recording of 17 English-language folksongs, some of them very well

Wayfaring Stranger
- SCHOLL ANDREAS
- MUSICA CLASICA
- INTERNATIONAL
- MUSIC
The German countertenor Andreas Scholl takes risks on his latest CD, Wayfaring Stranger, and not all of them pay off. It is a recording of 17 English-language folksongs, some of them very well known, such as "Down by the Salley Gardens" and "My love is like a red, red rose." This is not usually a repertory tackled by classically trained singers, who can sound prissy, but Scholl's clear, plaintive alto, with its rich low notes and gentle top range, is a quite plausible vehicle. "Wild Mountain Thyme" evokes real sadness, while "Barbara Allen" aches with unhappy love. A surprise awaits in the ballad "Henry Martin," as Scholl uses his rough, nondescript baritone to identify the hero. It is rather a jolt. At least, it is good to know his voice has actually broken. In this song, too-feminine endings in the lyric fall clumsily on stressed beats. Scholl does nothing to counter the infelicity; English, of course, is not his mother tongue. In the beautiful title track, which opens the disc, he sings endearingly of a "why-farring straincher." The accompaniments for various combinations of chamber orchestra, lute, dulcimer, and harp tend to be slushy, sentimental, and over-fussy. The bass uncomfortably parallels the tune in "Salley Gardens" and would have won a big red line through it in old-fashioned harmony classes. Still, on the whole, this is a worthwhile disc. Scholl clearly loves the songs he sings with great tenderness, and he deserves credit for his courage even where the experiment fails. --Rick Jones
Country USA
Brand Decca
Manufacturer Decca
Binding Audio CD
ItemPartNumber 028946849927
Model 028946849927
ReleaseDate 2001-11-13
UnitCount 1
Format CD
UPCs 028946849927
EANs 0028946849927

Country	USA
Brand	Decca
Manufacturer	Decca
Binding	Audio CD
ItemPartNumber	028946849927
Model	028946849927
ReleaseDate	2001-11-13
UnitCount	1
Format	CD
UPCs	028946849927
EANs	0028946849927

Wayfaring Stranger

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