The fantasies featured on this CD are the ubiquitous Carmen Fantaisie by François Borne, L’Illusion (based on themes from Bellini’s Norma) by Anton-Bernard Fuerstenau, and four by Taffanel: on themes from Mignon, Der Freischütz, Françoise de Rimini, and Jean de Nivelle. For these are needed the ability to sing on the instrument, the technique to cope comprehensively with the demands of the florid passages, and the ability to remain singing while doing so. Leslie Newman possesses these qualities in abundance. She has the capacity to vary her expression to suit the moment, from the episodes of calm, when her beautifully clear sound is used stylishly but without exaggeration, to the filigree and fireworks. The other vocal item is Mon coeur s’ouvre à ta voix by Saint-Saëns, played with a finely-judged range of colours. Two instrumental pieces complete the programme: the familiar Meditation from Thaïs by Massenet, and the Intermezzo No. 2 from Wolf-Ferrari’s The Jewels of the Madonna, an ideal piece for transcription, thrown off in sparkling fashion.
Tribute should be paid to Jonn Lenehan for his sensitive collaboration, suggesting a variety of orchestral colours. This CD may be regarded as giving an object lesson in how to give life to music; Ms. Newman communicates very directly and effectively, and we can scarcely fail to respond.
Christopher Steward
Pan – The Journal of the British Flute Society, June 2007