All those pities, natch. Walter, of course, who could choose anyone who
wanted (not, of coiurse, including those in Germany or Austria at the
time), picked Ferrier. But it would be more useful if those who find
Ferrier problematic for reasons of gender or "englishness" of a particular
kind would let us know if any of those you mention, all great
artists, also suffer from the same faults.
Just trying to home in on the problem.
I suspect that for Chris and Joanna the problem has more to do with
Ferrier's English language recordings. Chris sites her "When I am laid" as
particularly distressing, tho myself I think it incomparable. I would have
understood more easily if the issue had been about her recordings of
"traditional" songs, which share the mannerisms common to all lieder
singers when approaching folk material, here exacerbated by the stuffy
concert hall arrangements of the piano accompaniments. Even here she's
often pretty spectacular, but not if one expects Jean Redpath. Different
voice, different context.
I wonder if what's at issue is a depiction of britishness analogous to
Grierson and company in film documentary and its continuation in the
feature films of Mackendrick or Powell and Pressburger's "I know Where I'm
Going."
Mark
At 09:24 PM 12/15/2003 +0100, you wrote:
>My internet connection/email being restored, however briefly, *in der
>Ferne*, I would personally like to suggest Nan Merriman & Maureen Forrester
>as Mahler singers, Janet Baker too (live with Kubelik). But I find Ferrier
>especially moving in "Um Mitternacht". Pity about her German pronunciation.
>Pity too that Sigrid Onegin didn't perform & record at leat parts of the
>"Abschied" on 78s, or that great German contralto Margarete Klose...
>Best, Martin
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Mark Weiss" <[log in to unmask]>
>To: <[log in to unmask]>
>Sent: Monday, December 15, 2003 8:02 PM
>Subject: Re: A Note on Kathleen Ferrier (was Re: Minimalists...)
>
>
> > To be scientific about this, it would be good to know, from you and from
> > Chris, which contraltos singing this repertoire you really like.
> >
> > Mark
> >
> >
> > At 01:06 PM 12/15/2003 +0000, Joanna Boulter wrote:
> > >snip>
> > > > Patrick's comment ('voice so warm knees still shakey') is another
>point
> > > > altogether. There is clearly a quasi sexual charge to Ferrier's voice
> > >(that
> > > > is, I've heard that this is so from others) which I simply do not
>feel.
> > > >
> > > > CW
> > >snip>
> > >
> > >Is this perhaps why she leaves me cold too?
> > >
> > >Joanna
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