Product Description

Bryn Terfel, the Welsh baritone who is the biggest-selling current opera singer in the world, releases his long-awaited new disc Simple Gifts. Bryn has enjoyed consistent popularity ever since winning the Lieder Prize at Cardiff Singer of the World in 1989. For his new album, Terfel focuses on sacred, spiritual and meditative songs--songs that range from classical to folk to popular, set to new orchestral arrangements by Chris Hazell.

Track Listing

1. Ave verum corpus, K.618 - Adapted by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards
2. Deep River - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards
3. The Lord Bless You and Keep You - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards
4. I'll Walk Beside You - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
5. 1. Stabat Mater - Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
6. Still, Still, Still Weils Kindlein Schlafen Will - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards
7. Simple Gifts - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
8. How Great Thou Art - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards
9. Panis Angelicus - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, Aled Jones, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
10. Bless this house - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
11. Ave verum Corpus - Bryn Terfel, Simon Keenlyside, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
12. Cavatina - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, John Williams
13. The Rose - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards
14. Amazing Grace - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
15. God's Mercy - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
16. Morning has broken - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
17. Nearer My God To Thee - Arranged by Chris Hazell - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
18. Ave Maria - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
19. Send in the Clowns - Arranged by Jonathan Tunick - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth
20. God will be with You - Bryn Terfel, London Symphony Orchestra, Barry Wordsworth, London Voices, Terry Edwards

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3364 in Music
• Released on: 2005-10-10
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .23 pounds
• Running time: 70 minutes

CD Description
With numerous operatic releases under his belt Welsh baritone Bryn Terfel returns with another collection of spiritual and sacred songs with mainstream crossover appeal. The albumfeatures guest appearances from the likes of Aled Jones, John Williams and fellow-baritone Simon Keenlyside.

Customer Reviews

Powerful combination
A classical singer like Bryn Terfel faces a real danger in producing a compilation album. Used to delivering theatrical, if not epic, operatic roles, there's the risk that any compilation will be too bitty, will not give him a chance to stamp his character on the music. Inherent in any selection of songs is the danger that the whole balance of the recording will become saccharine, anodyne, or cloyingly sentimental … you end up thinking, great voice, but somehow the gravitas is lost.

The strength Terfel brings to this recording - apart from his outstanding voice - is the sheer weight of his personality. This is a performer who can exert presence, who can dominate a stage, and who can translate that presence to the recording of tracks as different as "I'll Walk Beside You", "Morning Has Broken", or "Send In The Clowns". Yet this is also a performer who can share his personality - he combines wonderfully with Aled Jones. This is professionalism!

If you love Bryn Terfel's voice - and if you've ever heard him, you have to love his voice - then this is a package of enjoyment, wonder, and excellent value. Simple gifts, sophisticated delights!

Terfel's voice equalled by quality of arrangements
This wonderful collection of songs is a pleasure to listen to largely thanks to the quality of the arrangements written for Bryn's voice. A favourite of mine is Chris Hazell's arrangement of 'Amazing Grace'. Turn the volume up. Sit back and let the power of John Newton's famous words hit home.

Another winner from the welsh wizard
A delightful blend of different styles of music which is bound to please lovers of music that is both pleasant upon the ear and remarkably tuneful. Bryn's voice is second to none in his particular field and his duet with Aled is sublime. The songs may seem old fashioned to some but to others of us they are timeless.