Performers: Anthony Rolfe Johnson (Tenor), Graham Johnson (Piano)
Label: Helios
Track Highlights: Canticle I, “My beloved is mine”, *Winter Words, The Salley Gardens, O Waly, Waly*
Release Date: Not specified
The Helios release of Benjamin Britten’s vocal works, performed by tenor Anthony Rolfe Johnson and pianist Graham Johnson, is an exquisite study in restraint, clarity, and poetic depth. This collection captures Britten’s genius for pairing the human voice with piano to illuminate text with musical precision, drawing out its deepest emotional currents.
The centerpiece of the collection, Canticle I: My Beloved is Mine, epitomizes Britten’s ability to merge spiritual ecstasy with intimate vulnerability. Johnson’s pianistic interpretations are as revelatory as Rolfe Johnson’s limpid, golden tone, particularly in Britten’s word-painting of Francis Quarles’s devotional poetry. Their performance strikes a balance between the sacred and the sensual, engaging the listener with every nuance of phrasing.
In Winter Words, Britten’s setting of Thomas Hardy’s poetry, Rolfe Johnson’s delivery feels remarkably conversational, inviting us into the bittersweet world of Hardy’s verses. The restrained accompaniment by Johnson highlights the bleakness and occasional whimsy of Hardy’s imagery. Particularly moving is “The Choirmaster’s Burial,” where Johnson’s subtle touch mirrors the stark inevitability of the text.
The inclusion of folk-inspired pieces such as The Salley Gardens and O Waly, Waly offers a softer, more pastoral touch to the program. Rolfe Johnson’s phrasing here conveys an aching simplicity that pays homage to Britten’s arrangements without over-embellishing their folk origins. Johnson’s piano provides a delicate scaffolding to the vocal line, never overshadowing its pristine lyricism.
The sonic quality of the recording deserves mention as well—Helios captures the immediacy of both performers without sacrificing the intimacy essential to these works. Each breath and finger stroke is rendered with remarkable clarity, placing the listener almost uncomfortably close to the performers’ artistry.
This album is not only a testament to the enduring partnership of Anthony Rolfe Johnson and Graham Johnson but also to Britten’s singular capacity to reimagine text through music. It’s an essential recording for Britten enthusiasts and admirers of 20th-century vocal music, offering both emotional resonance and technical brilliance.
Verdict:
A masterclass in interpretation, this Helios release is a luminous gem in the world of vocal music recordings. A must-have for lovers of Britten and the delicate interplay between voice and piano.
Rating: ★★★★½
