BBC Music Magazine Choral & Song Choice

Leading dramatic soprano Susan Bullock offers a stunning recording for Avie’s innovative Crear Classics series with a recital of songs which are linked by the theme of love and aspects of love. Covering a vast period from 1880 to the 1950s, the 19th century is represented by Strauss, Richard in his youthful and flirtatious three early Lieder, and Wagner in his mature romance with Mathilde Wesendonck which resulted in the songs bearing her name. Prokofiev’s wistful and woebegone love songs are a fascinating complement to Britten’s Pushkin settings. Selections by the quintessential song composers Quilter, Roger and Ned Rorem round out the eclectic programme. Susan Bullock’s consummate collaborator is Malcolm Martineau who first appeared on Avie in recital with mezzo-soprano Ann Murray (AV 2077).

“Few voices of this kind scale down effectively in song recital, but Bullock has a spectrum of vocal colours which she puts at intelligent service of the text - and in Malcolm Martineau she has a pianist to match her sensitivities. …a marvellous programme.” ***** BBC Music Magazine