1RF4 When The Heart Is Young: A Recital of Songs by Franz Lehár
Sarah Leonard sings songs by the master of Viennese operetta Franz Lehár. Accompanied by Andrew Ball (piano)

Rob Barnett writes for Classical Music on the Web:

Unlike many Beulah issues this recital is a new recording. It showcases the voice of Sarah Leonard and the lyric delights of Franz Lehár. A glance through the Gramophone database reveals Sarah Leonard as a seasoned recording artist with many discs to her name. The territory takes in Monteverdi and Purcell but with the preponderance in favour of the more modern repertoire: John Harle, Michael Nyman, Alexander Goehr, Gorecki, Bryars and Schnittke. She has also recorded British songs. Lehár is not a name I would have associated with her voice - my problem - not hers. On Radio 3 she has broadcast songs by Bax and at least one vocal work by Elisabeth Maconchy (The Golden Echo and the Leaden Echo). Although only one of these nineteen songs comes from an operetta several of them have the inflections and spirit I associate with Lehar's 'centre of gravity (or is it levity?). Some of the accompaniments cry out for orchestral treatment (perhaps they exist?) although vivid work by Andrew Ball is never in doubt. The singing is ripe and affecting; singing with the meaning of the words as well as with the musical line. If I have one reservation it is that I had the impression that some of the higher notes were not as comfortably handled as they might have been. The impression is sometimes effortful rather than effortless. However the important thing is the spirit of these songs and that seems well caught. Leonard excels in Die Du Mein Alles Bist with its birdsong - all silvery restraint; while Das Lockende Lied is a coloratura display of Queen Of Night melisma. Mucht's jubelnd rather recalled the Disney musical film 'Beauty and the Beast'. A highlight is Nimm mich mit with its grand heroic inflection in the piano as well as a touch of Griegian simplicity.

Read Andrew lamb's essay on Lehár Songs
Although no longer availabe on disc you can download the tracks for only £0.79 each or £7.99 for the whole discfrom [iTunes Plus]