Katarina Karneus. "Sibelius Songs".

[] Drake, piano. Texts and translations. Hyperion CDA67318 (Harmonia Mundi, dist.)

At least as far as discography is concerned, the songs of Jean Sibelius remain largely the precinct of singers with Nordic roots. Anne Sofie yon Otter, Karita Mattila, Hakan Hagegard, Monica Groop and Solveig Kringelborn all have done their bit to promote the composer's contribution to the romans (the Swedish equivalent of the German lied). Others might look to this repertoire as well, because the songs are very appealing, both musically and dramatically, and in some cases they approach the stature of their German counterparts. Although Finnish by birth and patriotism, Sibelius (1865-1957) was raised speaking Swedish, then the language of the Finnish government and upper classes. As a result, he was drawn more to Swedish-language poets, although he did occasionally set Finnish texts and also branched out into German.

Swedish mezzo-soprano Katarina Karneus, whose accomplishments include the 1995 Cardiff Singer of the World prize, has a plummy, velvety middle and low voice. There is a certain thrill to her top, but unfortunately, it turns edgy and shrill in the high climaxes with which Sibelius often peppers his vocal lines. Still, there is no question that she is highly skilled at fueling the dramatic sense of the text while ...