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BrynBryn Terfel with the London Symphony Orchestra et alBeating TimeBRYN Bryn Terfel has emerged in recent years as one of the most exciting singers from the UK to star on the international operatic stage. At the same time he has been prepared to delve into other musical areas, doubtless decried by some as 'populist', which has brought his talents to the attention of a vast public. Although well-known for quite some time, he has appeared to be the 'man of the moment' recently, featuring in at least two television programmes towards the end of 2003. One of these was an edition of 'Songs of Praise' which included lots of biographical detail, rehearsal footage and extensive interviews. Although he did not, in the course of the programme, make any particular claim to Christian commitment, it became clear that his background in the chapel tradition of his home in North Wales is very important to him, and there was a wonderful moment when he and his father sang a hymn in Welsh in a busy cattle market near Caernarfon. This CD is a collection of what one might call 'favourites', and is wide-ranging in style and appeal. At the more operatic end of the scale there is the 'Toreador song' and 'The pearl fishers' duet' (both by Bizet); there are songs by Tchaikovsky, Brahms and Schubert, folk songs such as 'Danny Boy', 'Bugeilio'r gwenith gwyn' and 'Shenandoah'. Also featured are some beautiful hymn arrangements, notably 'Abide with me', 'At the river', 'Swing low, sweet chariot' (what's a Welshman doing singing that??), and Howard Goodall's version of 'The Lord is my Shepherd' as heard on TV, but a lovely piece of music, nonetheless. The performances are excellent throughout. Bryn Terfel has a wonderful voice as well as a warm and engaging personality, and his collaborators - Andrea Bocelli and various others - are of the highest quality. This is a real musical treat; highly recommended. Simon Brennan,
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