ROBERT TEAR: THE ARGO RECITALS (14 CDS)

Robert Tear was one of the most versatile and probably the most intelligent tenor of his generation, loved by audiences all over the world. This new 14-CD limited edition collection, released 10 years after his passing, showcases his impeccable musicianship and extensive range. His voice was intrinsically neither sweet nor heroic, but when demanded could croon a lullaby or harden into a commanding rebuke, such was his artistry. His other weapon was words. He was a polymath, inquisitive, devouring literature as well as music. One marvels at the sheer amount of music learned. The art of a recital programme is about telling a story, the singer communicates a narrative directly with the listener. These recital discs, recorded between 1969 and 1979, brought together in one edition for the very first time, provide an unparalleled insight into the singer’s art.

CD 1 HANDEL, ARNE, BOYCE, HOOK
Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner

CD 2 PARRY: English Lyrics
Philip Ledger piano

CD 3 VAUGHAN WILLIAMS
Philip Ledger piano ∙ Neil Black oboe

CD 4 I DREAM OF JEANIE
Philip Ledger piano

CD 5 BRITTEN, WALTON, SEIBER: Folk Songs
Timothy Walker guitar

CD 6 COPLAND
Philip Ledger piano

CD 7 SCHUMANN: Liederkreise
Philip Ledger piano

CD 8 SOIRÉE (MENDELSSOHN, WEBER)
Philip Ledger piano ∙ Timothy Walker guitar
SCHUBERT
Elizabethan Singers · Melos Ensemble

CD 9 SOIRÉE (CHOPIN, LISZT)
Philip Ledger piano

CD 10 SONGS BY TCHAIKOVSKY
Philip Ledger piano

CD 11 RACHMANINOFF SONGS
Philip Ledger piano

CD 12 JANÁČEK: Zápisník Zmizelého
Elizabeth Bainbridge mezzo-soprano · Philip Ledger piano

CD 13 MAHLER: Lieder Eines Fahrenden Gesellen
BRITTEN: Nocturne
Academy of St Martin in the Fields / Sir Neville Marriner

CD 14 RESPIGHI: Deità Silvane Lauda per la Natività del Signore
Jill Gomez soprano · Meriel Dickinson mezzo-soprano
The London Chamber Choir
The Argo Chamber Orchestra / László Heltay
TIPPETT: Songs for Dov
London Sinfonietta / David Atherton