Search - Malena Ernman, Bengt-Åke Lundin :: Cabaret Songs

This is Music?

Samantha Wolridge | NYC, NY | 09/21/2003

(1 out of 5 stars)

"As an advocate of 20th century music - especially song - I was extremely eager to hear this recording, especially after reading a very complimentary review of it. Unfortunately, I was destined to be utterly disappointed. Malena Ernman's performances of Weill and Britten are acceptable, but her Bolcom Cabaret Songs are abysmal. They are performed without an ounce of emotion or expression, and a distinct lack of musicality. Worst of all for this kind of music, Ernman performs these songs as she would a Wagnerian opera. Her voice would be too dark and too heavy for art song, let alone these cabaret jewels. Her goal seems to be to completely destroy every song she sings.For a much more musical, sensitive, and generally enjoyable performance of the Bolcom, take a listen to Michelle and David Murray, on the CD Blue: The Complete Cabaret Songs of William Bolcom and Arnold Weinstein. They not only give the songs a much more idiomatic treatment, but their CD contains all 24 of the Bolcom songs - not just the first 12."

It's not the music that reeks; it's the performances

Finnamon | New York, NY United States | 04/24/2004

(1 out of 5 stars)

"Malena Ernman has absolutely no understanding of the American idiom; her performances of the Bolcom sound have fussy early music singer written all over them. In addition, the voice is thin, out of tune and poorly produced. Seldom have I been so disappointed in a recording. I mean, look at this rep! With the right performers, it could have been a total winner. Bizarre would be the word for this."