Auf dem Gebirge, motet for 2 altos, 5 instruments & continuo, SWV 396 (Op. 11/28)
We're entering a new Golden Age of Countertenors. Thirty years ago Alfred Deller was respectable but odd; now Brian Asawa and David Daniels sing at the Met while Andreas Scholl is on the cover of Gramophone. Joining them i... more »n the march of the falsettos is Japan's Yoshikazu Mera, the star of Bis's Bach cantata series. This cherubic youngster has better German and English diction than many native speakers; his narrow vibrato, clean coloratura and sweet tone are reminiscent of Drew Minter. Like Minter, he sounds too gentle to convey fury or terror--"But who may abide" from Messiah lacks refiner's fire--but his straightforward eloquence makes for a dignified, touching "He was despised" and a sparkling "Oh thou that tellest." He sings the Bach solo cantata and arias with energy and nuance; the Schütz alto duet "Auf dem Gebirge" that closes the disc is quietly heartbreaking. --Matthew Westphal« less
We're entering a new Golden Age of Countertenors. Thirty years ago Alfred Deller was respectable but odd; now Brian Asawa and David Daniels sing at the Met while Andreas Scholl is on the cover of Gramophone. Joining them in the march of the falsettos is Japan's Yoshikazu Mera, the star of Bis's Bach cantata series. This cherubic youngster has better German and English diction than many native speakers; his narrow vibrato, clean coloratura and sweet tone are reminiscent of Drew Minter. Like Minter, he sounds too gentle to convey fury or terror--"But who may abide" from Messiah lacks refiner's fire--but his straightforward eloquence makes for a dignified, touching "He was despised" and a sparkling "Oh thou that tellest." He sings the Bach solo cantata and arias with energy and nuance; the Schütz alto duet "Auf dem Gebirge" that closes the disc is quietly heartbreaking. --Matthew Westphal
CD Reviews
A kinder, gentler Messiah
Exguyparis | Lansdowne, PA USA | 09/10/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Yoshikazu Mera's voice is lush, gentle, and pure. In an audio dictionary, he would be the perfect accompaniment for the term "clarion tone"-"brilliantly clear." I am in awe of his voice. His take on the Messiah selections is awesome: slower, simpler, refined, and stellar. I also recommend his CD "Romance." This is music that will soothe, inspire, and amaze you."
A Baroque Gem
Nadia Aronson | Seattle, Washington | 03/22/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I listen to this recording over and over. As a professional musician I find the ease of the vocal lines, the perfection of Mera's voice, the loveliness of his natural musical instinct, and the excellent orchestral playing such a treat. It is difficult for me to find CD's I really want to hear, since I spend so much time playing classical music for a living. This tends to make one rather "picky" I fear. However, a recording of this magnitude is a blessing."
My tuppence's worth
Uomo Universale | 08/08/2003
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Mera's voice is certainly different from our leading American counter-tenors, such as David Daniels and Brian Asawa. The later tend to sound more like mezzos whereas Mera produces a sound which I would describe as a very high tenor. The difference must lie in timber as well in techniques. And so I venture to impart my tuppence's worth.
I may be wrong on the follwoing points since I arrived at them by simply listening to CD's. Mera tends to use his chest register, non falsetto voice (as some prefer to call it) more often than certain other counter-tenors and he uses it not really as a device for drama, rather as a means to extend his lower range naturally. And he is able to do it so naturally and un-discernibly! Also Mera uses his range with great care and reservation too. He seems trying to achieve that "very high tenor" effect. This impression is also due to the fact that Mera produces an even sound with very narrow vibrato. Also, he is quite free of nasal resonance which, in some counter-tenors' cases, compromises the diciton.
Speaking of diction. Mera is very good, especially in German. Notwithstanding, I regret to say that he is somewhat stiff. This becomes quite obvious in his French and English from his album "Romance".
I love his style so very much."
Such an enjoyable disc.
A Classical Fan | New York, NY USA | 08/19/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Like other reviewers, I have listened to this disc over and over, and I never got bored. Mera controls his voice wonderfully with beautiful nuances. His delicate voice creates such a serene atmosphere throughout the disc. The orchestra too, Bach Collgium Japan's lucid performance is simply beautiful. Also all the songs are well chosen and cleverly ordered. Sometimes this sort of omnibus disc can be very tacky and pointless, but this one is well produced. Each track compliments each other, and going through song to song is a wonderful journey of discovery."
Track Listings (18) - Disc #1