<<  -- 3 --  Robert Hugill    MUCH TO ENJOY

Anne Sofie von Otter's Angel seemed a little low key, almost muted. Always beautifully shaped, there was much to enjoy in the way she phrased the part. What I missed was refulgence of tone and blossoming of the voice in the higher, louder passages and a feeling of relaxed flexibility to match that of Davies and the orchestra.

Alistair Miles turned in a well crafted, inspiring performance. When the bass part is as well sung as this, I always regret that it is not longer.

There was much to enjoy in this performance, but the soloists never quite managed to carry us away in the way that the orchestra and chorus did. The performance was being recorded. Luckily, they are performing the work today as well, so I hope, for the sake of the audience and the recording, that everyone is a little more relaxed.