>As someone suggested to me privately, I got a Music >Minus One book ("Everybody's Favorite Songs for high >voice") and the accompaniment is wonderful. The >pianist, John Wustman, is very sensitive not only to >the music but also to important things like allowing >the singer time to breath. I would highly recommend
>The final one I got was the good old Schirmer >Twenty-Four Italian Songs and Arias for medium high >voice. This is a mixed bag. Some of the songs the >tempo is fine, some of them it's too fast. I sang >along with most of them, and what bugged me the most >was the metronomic playing, with not even the >slightest allowance for breathing, and very little >attention to tempo changes or dynamic markings. Also, >some of the longer held notes (i.e. 3 beats or longer) >were cut short, which can be confusing to say the >least. >Jennifer
I agree completely. I've also just bought the music minus one (schubert vol.2)- with John Wustman CD, and yes, he understands singers. The tempo is a little slow than most I've heard, which is wonderful for practising too. And his sensitivity is gorgeous. I've also got the Schirmer 24 Arias with the CD's and I agree. It's too fast. In some sort of token attempt at baroque performance practice, the songs are all slightly faster and it all feels a bit silly. If they wanted to be authentic not just tempo-wise, then they should have also played the music on a harpsichord, not a piano. Per la Gloria is ridiculous, especially the high G's. This accompanist obviously doesn't play with many singers. Maybe he accompanies instrumentalists (oooh...). I've got another one. A Hal Leonard Mozart arias (ha!) book with CD, and it's a little metronomic also, but is generally better.
Mirko
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