Bonnie Barbara

This one is a recital disk by soprano Barbara Bonney and pianist Malcolm Martineau titled My Name Is Barbara and featuring twentieth century art songs by Quilter, Griffes, Copland, Britten, Bernstein and Barber. it wasn't particularly kindly received by critics as I reacll. Some couldn't seem to see beyond Ms Bonney's decolletage on the cover photograph and others suggested her voice is now past its' best. The latter is probably true, there are some ragged moments but the musicality and committment to the material still make the project worthwhile I feel. There is plenty of variety amongst the works sung here, despite their proximity in time. The Quilter songs comprise Seven Elizabethan Lyrics, from Griffes there are Three Poems of Fiona Macleod, while copland is represented by Four Early Songs. Britten's collection is On This Island, which is followed by Bernstein's child's eye pastiche I Hate Music. The disk concludes with Four Songs by Barber. It seemed for a while that this disk might be Ms Bonney's swan song but it is rumoured that she may now be ready to resume performing. I suspect her repertoire will need to undergo some changes but this recital remains an honourable enough effort.