This fine start to the cycle more than whets the appetite for future volumes.

The real revelation, though, comes from the American baritone John Chest, whose performance…blends superb dynamic control – his high mezza voce is remarkable – with deep commitment, flawless phrasing and an easy warmth of tone…Martineau’s playing, beautiful and fastidiously detailed, is, of course, the unifying factor: few have quite such an innate understanding of the way in which the smallest gestures of colour and nuance expose the depths of emotion in Fauré’s work. It all forms a most engaging start to the series

Fauré’s music here benefits from [Martineau's] light but purposeful touch and mercurial responsiveness to the words of his singers – a team of eight, mixing experience and freshness...Martineau is in his element throughout, guiding the songs unerringly and keeping sensuality and simplicity in balance.

The common factor, and driving power behind the series, is pianist Malcolm Martineau, whose softly probing pianism pulls together the miscellany of well-known singers, who range from the robust Nigel Cliffe, sweet counter tenor Iestyn Davies, radiant tenor Ben Johnson and wholesome Ann Murray, to the restful mellowness of Lorna Anderson, and the experienced musicianship of Janis Kelly and Joan Rodgers. A series to follow with keen interest