Janet Baker. (Historical).(SCOTTISH FOLKSONG ARRANGEMENTS AND ENGLISH SONGS)(Sound Recording Review)

[] "SCOTTISH FOLKSONG ARRANGEMENTS AND ENGLISH SONGS" Songs by Haydn, Beethoven, Dowland, Campion, Purcell et al., with Malcolm, Isepp, Menuhin, Spencer et al. English texts. Testament SBT 1241

No matter how much the early-music movement may strive for historical accuracy, the result will always, of necessity, be filtered through the sensibilities of the time. In the 1960s, great musicians such as Janet Baker, Yehudi Menuhin and George Malcolm handled Baroque and Classical music with the same tools they used on all repertoire, namely, lucid tone, incisive phrasing and harmonic awareness, drawn from a deeply felt personal stance. Similarly, when Haydn and Beethoven approached Scottish folk songs, they no more attempted to "be" Scottish than Baker and her collaborators attempted to "be" Baroque. Like it or not, this historical filter becomes part of the listening experience.

Although Baker's handling of these fairly simple folksong arrangements (from a 1976 issue) now sounds overly majestic (especially Haydn's "The brisk young lad," "Shepherds, I have lost my love" and "Jaime, come try me"), the singer's trademark plummy tone, pristine diction and alluring legato are still captivating. She journeys through seven verses of "My boy Tammy" with freshness and charm and deftly caresses the high notes of"O can ye sew cushions" with technique to spare. Menuhin characteristically brings plenty of beauty and interest to his solo ...