A Welcome New Tenor Voice
Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/27/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"American tenor Eric Cutler (with the superb collaboration of pianist Bradley Moore) makes his recording debut with, thankfully, not a hint of "Nessun dorma" or "Una furtiva lagrima", both of which beautiful arias seem to have become the CD calling card for first recitals by other tenors today. Instead of depending on familiar arias, or even songs, that are audience pleasers without much effort on the part of the singer, Cutler has selected a true lieder recital of the 'Liederkreis' of Robert Schumann, excerpts from Franz Liszt's 'Petrarch Sonnets', and selected rarities of haunting beauty by Reynaldo Hahn and Samuel Barber. His programming is in line with other very intelligent vocal artists such as Susan Graham, Lorraine Hunt Lieberson, Dawn Upshaw, Thomas Hampson, Anne Sofie Von Otter, Sanford Sylvan, etc and that is rare company indeed. Cutler possesses a rich voice, able to ring and burst out appropriately, but he also is able to produce liquid, soft sounds which includes the artistic use of his head tones. If at times his vibrato spreads when the voice is pushed, that is a trait that can be easily watched and avoided. His ability to move thru two centuries of song writing and maintain his ability to communicate equally well suggests that this is a talent to watch. Having heard him once in the Disney Concert Hall singing Berlioz' "Lelio" convincingly, being one of the more memorable aspects of that evening with the LA Phil, he seems also to have stage presence. But with the type of personal communication he elicits from Schumann's "Mondnacht", all four of the Hahn songs, and Barber's "A Last Song" and "Solitary Hotel", it would seem his significant contribution will be the recital platform...and what a joy to find another musician in the service of composers instead of the media. Kudos to EMI for this installment in their laudable "Debut Series". Recommended to all lovers of song and at this price one can afford to take a chance on an unknown - and find the joys of discovery of young, maturing talent like Eric Cutler!"
Pretty impressive
Bill | Boston | 03/18/2004
(4 out of 5 stars)
"I normally avoid an album of this sort for two reasons: few young singers are worth repeatedly listening in lieder and the attempt to impress in such a mixed repertoire is certain to fail. But quality performances of any Reynaldo Hahn songs are still so rare -- especially by men's voices -- that my normal resistence was overcome and I'm very glad it was.And the Hahn songs turn out to be the best thing on the album, where Cutler shows an impressive command of their elusive style, with wonderful breath control and phrasing in extended quiet passages. These won't erase memories of Susan Graham -- could anyone? -- but he's the first singer I could see sharing the stage with her in this repertoire. The Schumann is a close second, so completely idiomatic and varied in range that you'd guess this tenor has been living with these songs since his first voice lessons.Only some moments in the Liszt songs reminded me why I avoid young singers in lieder. These too had many lovely moments, but there are occasional passages, notably in "Benedetto sia 'l giorno" where the vocal color seems off, as if we're listening to a tenor who's trying a produce a more Italian sound than he has. Unfortunate.I'm rarely able to work up much enthusiasm for Barber's songs, but Cutler gives comitted performances that make you understand why singers love them.Not to forget the accompanist, Bradley Moore is first rate."
Exquisite: a singer who doesn't PUSH
R. Stephen Gracey | Cleveland, OH United States | 06/29/2005
(5 out of 5 stars)
"My partner picked this album up on a whim because it's so hard to find collections of songs, rather than arias. It was an exquisite surprise, especially to a tenor who longs to hear singers who don't blast their audiences away. Mr. Cutler takes the top place of my favorite tenors now right beside Nicolai Gedda: The tone is relaxed, beautifully balanced, and his diction is impeccable. The musicianship was just a tiny bit bland, but then it's hard to judge from a recording. I'd recommend this album to anyone, and I hope one day to pass along the praise in person. Taking his cue, I'm now working up the Liederkreis, too, an enchanting cycle by Schuman. As my sisters-in-law say, "Why sing Schubert? Sing SCHUMANN!""
Track Listings (24) - Disc #1