Jamie Barton Offers “Beguiling Interpretations” in All Who Wander

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“She reminds one of a time when recitals were more popular with audiences and many opera stars spent equal time on the recital stage. In her debut solo album, All Who Wander, Barton surrounds Gustav Mahler’s staples of the song repertoire, Rückert Lieder, with the less familiar Gypsy Songs of Antonin Dvorák and select songs by Jean Sibelius. The most remarkable of the songs set to words of Friedrich Rückert is “Ich bin der Welt abhanden gekommen,” one of the great summits of German Lieder.… Barton finds a splendid partner in pianist Brian Zeger who conspires with her to create an exquisite atmosphere for the monumental song. His playing enriches every selection in this album. His years of experience working with singers show in his naturally supportive and responsive collaboration. His pianism has clarity and warmth, delicacy and power. He phrases with flexibility without losing the shape of a melody. He highlights individual voices but always keeps the big picture in mind. Zeger arguably does his best work in the Dvorák selections, capturing the playful buoyancy of the gypsy songs, leading Barton as well as supporting her. … Though her voice and musicality would be enough to declare this album a thorough success, Barton’s attention to the text must not go unmentioned. Her German is very good and although I cannot speak to the quality of her Czech or Swedish, I can say that she is diligent with her enunciation. All Who Wander is everything a song recital should be. Delivering both familiar and unfamiliar fare in beguiling interpretations, Barton and Zeger take the listener into the world of each song with deft musicality and emotional sincerity.” —Ali Kashani, Parterre Box