Mahler is utterly captivating

Mezzo soprano, Alice Coote and pianist, Julius Drake, team up to perform lieder from Mahler, Haydn and Schumann

Composer: Mahler, Haydn, Schumann
Repertoire: Lieder 
Artists: Alice Coote (mezzo), Julius Drake (piano)
Rating: 4/5
Genre: German Song
Label: EMI Classics 5 85559

Alice Coote is a no-mess no-fuss kind of singer who communicates emotion in a subtle but direct way. Ally this with a warm, port-wine sound and varied palette of colours and you have a winning combination, here in repertoire that suits her perfectly. Pianist Julius Drake is a sensitive, imaginative accompanist – it’s just a shame that the recording balance seems to favour the singer over the piano just a little too much.