To Walter Hall on Saturday evening to hear a recital by tenor Marcel d’Entremont.  I was intrigued by the programme; English song; art and otherwise, with the resources of a piano quintet for accompaniment.  It’s quite rare for an art song recital to have more than just piano accompaniment so this looked promising.  I wasn’t disappointed.

Proceedings began with three of Beethoven’s Irish Songs scored for voice and string trio (Here Aaron Schwebel – violin, Rory McLeod – viola and  Guillaume Artus – cello).  I wasn’t familiar with these songs and they are really rather jolly and were nicely done.  Two Irish ballads of the sort that people mistake (sometimes) for “traditional” (but no Tom Lehrer) followed.  Marcel has the style down pat (or Pat) for these.  Think all those best selling recordings of Irish tenors from the 78 era. Continue reading →