Charles Daniels, Nigel North - Lute Songs (2007)

Veteran English tenor Charles Daniels is best known for his careful, penetrating readings of large Baroque choral roles. This disc of famous (Thomas Campion's Fire fire and a couple of Morley classics) and not-so-famous (William Corkine's Beauty sat bathing) represents an unusual repertoire for him and another distinctive release connected with Canada's ATMA label and Montreal's vibrant early music scene. The lute song of the late sixteenth century, too, is sung at least as often by countertenors (or by women) as by tenors. The result of the reduction of Daniels' voice to chamber dimensions, together with the removal of the usual dramatic quality of the countertenor voice, is a rather sober set of lute songs, one that is quietly sad rather than elaborately melancholy. Daniels' readings might be a bit better suited to the contrapuntally artful style of Dowland than to the rather airier music of the second generation of lute song composers represented on the disc, and it is curious that nothing by Dowland was included. The interaction between Daniels and lutenist Nigel North, however, has the mix of perfect coordination and relaxed, free-breathing quality that signals a fine lute-song recording, and there is a gentle assurance to Daniels' singing that draws the listener in from the beginning. All texts are given in English and French, and the notes by François Sabatier, originally in French, are an offbeat delight, quoting a French writer, Rouville, who referred to "cet humour triste tellement britannique donnant l'impression que les larmes on envie de danser" (that characteristically British sad brand of humor that gives the impression tears are tempted to dance). The church sonics are a bit too big for the music but do communicate the considerable subtleties of this set of low-key charms.