No famous names, but a winning Faure Requiem all the same
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 08/25/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"This CD proves that musical life in Birmingham didn't begin with Simon Rattle. Before him there was Louis Fremaux conducting the Faure Requiem with power and conviction, eschewing all sugariness. Norma Burrows and Brain Rayner Cook aren't big-name soloists, which admittedly are nice to hear, but Burrows sings with purity and a touching simplicity, while Cook is a good example of the English oratorio baritone. Orchestra and chorus also acquit themselves well. Ideally we should have French forces with their inimitable tang, but this is an excellent bargain.
The sublime Cantique de Jean Racine is rather rushed, but given all the saccharine readings it's gotten over the years, that's not all bad. John Ogdon is soloist in the 13-minute Ballade for piano and orchestra, basically a simple song with swooning accompaniment, lovely if you haven't overdosed on sweetness by this point."