Elspeth Franks and Sonia Gariaeff in Recital
Friday August 26, 2005     Carmel-by-the-Sea CA

I don't know when I have enjoyed myself so much at a vocal recital. Soprano Elspeth Franks and mezzo Sonia Gariaeff had a triumphant evening last night at the Carmel Woman's Club in a delightful concert entitled, "Sweet Power of Song." It was inspiring; it was charming, and it was fun!

Since this event was a concert production by David Gordon, those familiar with his style and taste that touches every venture with which he is associated were not surprised to observe how every little detail of this event was smoothly managed (although unobtrusively so). The stage was modestly decorated with floral arrangements in a cluster that softened the room's normally stark appearance, the printed program was overflowing with program notes and translations, and always in the background were David & Ginna Gordon, as affable hosts making everyone coming through the door feel welcome before they even heard one note of music.

Well, it is hard to get any better than this, but that it did, for the artistic singing we heard on this occasion was moving and satisfying on many levels. During the 2005 Carmel Bach Festival we heard Elspeth Franks in important roles, and we heard Sonia Gariaeff briefly during the Adams Vocal Master Classes, but in this concert the spotlight was more intensely concentrated and gave us an opportunity to hear these artists in a wide variety of songs that tickled our fancy and delighted us with the charm of the artists themselves.

Contributing mightily was superb pianist John Burke, who with his wonderfully rhythmic and colorful playing, and his fantastic dynamic control, added so much to the effectiveness of the evening's music making.

The opening duet on the program by Beethoven, charmingly presented by Franks and Gariaeff, was the titled theme of the evening, "Sweet Power of Song." In addition to being a leitmotif pervading the artistic and personal life of David Gordon, its message that music has the power to make our existence richer, happier and more meaningful, whatever our situation or station in life, is an artistic credo we all would do well to adopt.

The most delightful surprise of the first half of the program was a series of five songs based on text by English poet Sir John Betjeman by Madeline Dring (1923-1977). The moods and emotions of these five songs called upon Franks to display a variety of artistic and dramatic expression - at times nostalgic, at times angry, and in the final "Song of the Nightclub Proprietress" a bitter regret for a life unfulfilled - which was a revealing showcase for her artistic gifts (with some wonderfully jazzy piano playing by Mr. Burke). Also particularly moving was the paean to the "Business Girls" in London and "Undenominational" portraying a preacher at Hyde Park Speakers Corner.

The second half of the program began with a rich tableau of four duets by Brahms that constantly surprised and charmed us, which were eloquently sung by Franks and Gariaeff and again containing some fine piano artistry by Mr. Burke. The opening song, Die Schwestern, revealed a humorous side of Brahms that he often concealed from the public. Especially effective was the poignant resignation of the young nun in Klosterfräulein, which Franks and Gariaeff projected with a bitter sweet quality that was subtle and effective.

The greatest surprise of the evening was the Cabaret Songs by Schoenberg sung by mezzo Sonia Gariaeff. These songs were written in 1901, and are more user friendly than some of his later works. Gariaeff, occasionally sounding dark in her lower mezzo range, and sometimes high and bright enough to pass for a soprano, was in her element here and dazzled us with the range and versatility of her voice, as well as her superb dramatic skills.

The closing work was the duet El desdichado by Saint-Saens about the torments of love and graced with some wonderful piano accompaniments. It was dazzling. An enthusiastic audience was rewarded with one super encore, "Bosom Buddies" from "Mame" updated and tailored to the persona of Ms Franks and Gariaeff, and a gracious reception followed the performance. It was a happy audience that departed the Carmel Woman's Club this evening.

Event Produced by Gordon Studios    831/238.2934    Email    www.spiritsound.com