I love Susan Graham’s personable, magnetic stage presence and powerful, flexible mezzo capable of scaling heights one moment and plunging into an abyss the next. So it pains me to give a less than glowing review to her latest album.
Virgins, Vixens & Viragos, released on the Onyx label, is an evocative umbrella title for a wide mix of art song and musical theatre, programmed as a recital from programmes she has toured in recent years with accompanist Malcolm Martineau.
Seeing this programme live would be far more interesting and engaging than hearing it on disc. Without two living, breathing people performing in front of you, there’s too much mental space to focus on the details of the performances themselves.
Graham is in wonderful voice, and Martineau provides his characteristic mix of sensitive support and sparkling collaboration.
In both the 17th century and Broadway piece, Graham sings like the operatic mezzo she is, rather than try to lighten and vary her delivery in the recitative, or switch into a fleeter, lighter pop voice for the Sondheim song.
The material in between fares better, especially in the brilliantly mixed set of six art songs by six different composers set on Goethe’s Mignon, and in Francis Poulenc’s Fiançailles pour rire and velvety “Les Chemins de l’amour.”
Graham is nothing short of masterful in subtly shading notes while delivering a classic French legato phrase.
Hector Berlioz’ La Mort d’Ophélie is excellent, as is Graham’s, um, full-bodied take on Cole Porter’s “The Physician.”
Ultimately, this is an album for the Susan Graham fan who would like something new to add to the collection.
You’ll find all the details, including booklet notes, samples and downloads, here.
John Terauds