Tutto Mozart, Tutto Bryn!

Ah, after Labor Day it’s never too soon to start thinking about Christmas, and Bryn Terfel’s new album of Mozart arias and duets seems like just the ticket, to me! (To Fausta, too, I’m betting!)

The album gets a five-star review here, and another terrific review here

BRYN TERFEL
Tutto Mozart
With Miah Persson (soprano), Christine Rice (mezzo), Scottish Chamber Orchestra, cond Charles Mackerras
Since his forays into Wagner repertory, one might have expected the Welshman to have outgrown his beloved Mozart, but no. It’s hard to think of any singer whom one would equally like to hear as Wotan and Papageno, but Terfel is one: unique, really. The birdcatcher’s songs are deftly sung here, with a twinkle in the eye, excellent German and a personality that leaps off the page. Although he frames his programme with his “signature” role — Figaro’s Act I and IV arias — Terfel is still exploring Mozart: his Count Almaviva (the aria and duet with Persson’s Susanna) is commanding, and he gets round the triplets of his final phrase with remarkable fluency…One of the Mozart discs of the year, with immaculate accompaniments from Mackerras and the SCO. Five stars.

Indeed, Bryn’s last album with Mackerras and the Scottish Chamber Orchestra, Handel Arias – is one of my all time favorites, as – ummm – you might have guessed, if you’ve read this pant of a post.

Also, just as an aside for those of you who took Buster’s recommendation and bought The Zombie Survival Guide; Complete Protection from the Living Dead (!) it seems the author, Max Brooks (son of Mel Brooks) has committed a sequel World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War, just – as I mentioned – in time for the holidays. I love getting my shopping done this easily.