Albrecht Mayer - Vocalise (2016)

Tracklist
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01. Handel Trio Sonata For 2 Violins And Continuo In G Minor, HWV 393 Dresden No. 2 - Arr. Andreas Tarkmann - Largo
02. Ravel Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte, M.19
03. Schumann 3 Romances, Op.94 - No.2 Einfach, innig
04. Faure Pavane, Op.50
05. Mozart Ma che vi fece... Sperai vicino, K.368 - Andantino - Allegro
06. Handel Rinaldo Act 2 - Lascia ch'io pianga
07. J.S. Bach Magnificat in D Major, BWV 243 - Aria Esurientes implevit bonis
08. Handel Suite No.11 In D Minor, HWV 437 - Arr. by Andreas Tarkmann For Oboe, Oboe d'amore And English Horn - Sarabande
09. Debussy Clair de Lune, L.75
10. Handel Concerto For Oboe, Strings And Basso Continuo Voli per l'aria - Largo (Will The Sun Forget To Streak From Oratorio 'Solomon', HWV 67)
11. Humperdinck Hansel und Gretel - Abends will ich schlafen gehn
12. Vivaldi Concerto For Violin And Strings In F Minor, Op.8, No.4, RV 297 L'inverno - Arr. Albrecht Mayer - 2. Largo
13. Marcello II Se Morto Me Brami (Canzone Quarta)
14. Handel Concerto For Oboe d'amore, Strings And Basso Continuo Verdi prati - Larghetto (Verdi prati From Opera 'Alcina', HWV 34)
15. Hahn A Chloris
16. Marcello Oboe Concerto In D Minor - 2. Adagio
17. Weismann Variations For Oboe & Piano, Op.39 - 4. Lento, molto tranquilo

This 2016 release by oboist Albrecht Mayer is an anthology, containing selections from his previous recordings dating back as far as 2003. Unlike most such albums, where you do better to go back to the originals and find a more cohesive concept, this one, with selections picked by Mayer himself, works on its own terms. The title indicates the organizing principle: in many of the pieces, the oboe is a stand-in for a singing voice, and the strength of the idea is suggested by the fact that Rachmaninov's Vocalise is actually not included. Mayer structures the program well, setting the mood with a pair of well-known pavanes and a couple of other lyrical pieces, including a genuine Schumann oboe work that you may not have heard, before the first aria appears. That one is by Mozart, and there are a few Romantic melodies, but most of Mayer's "arias" are Baroque selections, and he introduces gentle contrasts by including oboe-readied Baroque instrumental movements among the arias without breaking the consistent, fetchingly lyrical tone. Mayer's oboe does truly seem to be on the edge of breaking out into words at times: sample the "Esurientes implevit bonis" from the Magnificat in D major, BWV 243 for an impression of his liquid, expressive tone. Mayer effectively switches off between symphonic, Baroque ensemble, and piano accompaniment without losing the thread, but the sudden appearance of the King's Singers in Humperdinck's "Abends will ich schlafen gehn" (from Hänsel und Gretel) may have you reaching for the remote to see if the program has changed. Deutsche Grammophon's remastering job is reasonable, though, and this will serve the needs of anyone looking to sample Mayer's substantial talent.

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