Right from the first track of The Welsh Album it is already clear: this is pure nationalism. Not British chauvinism, but Welsh. Bryn Terfal sings the opening song Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (Land of my fathers) together with a male choir and a symphony orchestra with all the bells and whistles. Fortunately, not all of Chris Hazell's arrangements are set up so grand and the CD also has more intimate moments.
Terfel sings the lyrics with love and it is a pity that we can only admire his narrative power in the English songs; after all, Welsh is unintelligible. Terfel is accompanied by the Black Mountain Chorus, the Risca Male Choir and The Orchestra of the Welsh National Opera conducted by Gareth Jones. (CP) _more
