Bryn Terfel - Something Wonderful (Bryn Terfel sings Rodgers & Hammerstein)

To begin, Rodgers and Hammerstein couldn't be more appropriately sung. From a time before electric amplification the sweeping melodies of Richard Rodgers were intended to be sung as Bryn illustrates. As I say every time, his diction is impeccable, his musicianship is unsurpassed, and his enthusiasm is wonderful. As for Oscar Hammerstein, I'm sure he doesn't mind a little foreign accent... because every word is clear and understandable.

To compare the accent of Terfel to Pavarotti and Carreras is simply misguided. Although Pavarotti and Carreras are top-notch for what they do, neither pursues `Broadway' music seriously. Their ventures into the medium are limited to Gala concerts and the occasional snippet on a CD... not on stage depicting a role, but simply to sing a beautiful song. Mr. Terfel, on the other hand, researches the roles, coaches them, and is constantly pursued to perform them. His accent is one of slight vowel or consonant differences, which do not detract from the beautiful music. The music is well done and the story clear. Lets not nitpick diction or the French will have our hides for Les Miserables!

For the music, the recording quality is great. One reviewer mentioned poor sound quality and I do believe that person may have a bad disk or player... on my end the sound is full and robust; Bryn's voice dominates the sound. The orchestrations are full and lush. When dealing with modern houses and theatres the orchestra pits are usually quite small, and consequently the ensembles themselves. CDs like this one allow for fully orchestrated music to be heard, with a large symphony of musicians. The numbers that utilize chorus, which sings very well, are well balanced.

This disk is a great buy in my book. Bryn Terfel is a phenomenal performer and he sings this genre excellently. Check out his `If Ever I Would Leave You', `Under The Stars', `We'll Keep a Welcome', `Songs of My Welsh Home', and numerous classical recordings like `Opera Arias', `Meet Bryn Terfel', `The Vagabond', `Wagner', `Schumann Lieder', and an large collection of full opera recordings. Enjoy.

Bryn Terfel has a marvelous voice ... for operatic and similar venues (Porgy & Bess, but not Showboat or Oklahoma or South Pacific). The accent and inflection are wrong, and the arrangements on this particular album are only fair.

Think of Luciano singing "There is Nothing Like a Dame" or Jose "Get Me to the Church on Time." Uh, uh.

Be careful, by the way. "Something Wonderful" is about 80% the same as "Some Enchanted Evening," and neither is very good.

---

   Written on July 3, 2003
   Summary: Terfel Is Not Broadway
Bryn Terfel has a marvelous voice ... for operatic and similar venues (Porgy & Bess, but not Showboat or Oklahoma or South Pacific). The accent and inflection are wrong, and the arrangements on this particular album are only fair.

Think of Luciano singing "There is Nothing Like a Dame" or Jose "Get Me to the Church on Time." Uh, uh.

Be careful, by the way. "Something Wonderful" is about 80% the same as "Some Enchanted Evening," and neither is very good.

---

   Written on January 12, 2003
   Summary: I love the songs and the voice , but not this cd.
I love the songs of Rogers and Hammerstein. I love Terfel's voice. But the audio is very poor. Did I just get a bad disc?
Terfel's voice is too faint.

---

   Written on July 6, 2002
   Summary: Incredible interpretations of these wonderful songs
I was given this disk by a friend. I took it politely but didn't have big hopes. As others have commented, it is hard to think of fine opera and lieder singers who can also do show tunes or pop (Eileen Farrel is an exception that comes to mind).

Well, when I listened to this disk it blew me away. I gathered my children around so they could hear these great songs done just right. I mean he even pulls off "You'll Never Walk Alone" without being cliche! It is a great song and he does it better than I have ever heard it done. Too many singers just go for the bathos. Terfel sings it seriously and uses the chorus and orchestra so nicely.

What a great gift this was!