Composer Joseph Summer is the artist behind the latest installment of The Shakespeare Concert Series. This is the seventh release, and presents settings by Brahms, R. Schumann, and Benjamin Pesetsky...

First things first... I know this is pretty obvious, but it's still worth mentioning. If you're not a fan of Shakespeare or, more importantly, opera... then this is not the album for you. However, if you have even the slightest fondness for opera, then you'll find much to enjoy here.

This release showcases pieces composed for voice, harp, and horns. 'Sonnet CIV' is an art song for mezzo soprano wherein the harp accompaniment plays the role of a lute or acoustic guitar. 'Sonnet XCI' for voice and horns is, in contrast, regal. At the heart of 'Sonnet LXXIII' for vocal ensemble, harp, and horns is a piece designed to evoke a dark forest scene. This is filtered through the recording be a cacophony of textures as soloists take turns, yet no voice or instrument is background. The work concludes with 'Sonnet CXXXIII', which is a duet for tenor and soprano against the scene painting of harp and horns.

'If by Your Art' from The Tempest is a soprano aria with harp accompaniment. 'O God, That I Were a Man' from All’s Well That Ends Well is a monologue running the gamut of emotions. The album concludes with Robert Schumann’s 'Drei Gesänge (Three Songs), Op.95', for soloist and harp, presenting settings of texts by Karl Julius Körner and three of the Hebrew Melodies by Lord Byron.

This is a beautifully balanced collection of pieces, and it's surprising, on reflection, to think that the only instruments used are horns and harp. Another interesting addition to the series.

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Darren Rea