Editorial Review:

Amazon.com essential recording:
The talented young Canadian Daniel Taylor is another in the impressive crop of countertenors now coming to prominence. His pure, light voice has a slight vibrato and a natural-sounding timbre; while his lowest notes seem underpowered, his upper range is clear and unconstrained. It's a small voice, certainly, but very likable within its limits. For his solo debut recording, Taylor has selected some of Purcell's best-known songs, including "Music for a while," "O solitude," and "Fairest isle." He has chosen well: these relatively subdued items call for the gentle delivery and musical subtlety that are his strengths without requiring more volume or drama than he can comfortably deliver. Included alongside the songs are several of Purcell's trio sonatas for strings, exquisitely played by the Montreal period-instrument ensemble Da Sonar. The performances' only real flaw is, as it were, an excess of moderation--especially as regards the tempos, which range from moderato to allegro moderato. All in all, though, what this record may lack in excitement it makes up in good taste--very Canadian. --Matthew Westphal

Rating: - Superb
As far as my personal opinion goes, Daniel Taylor is everything I want in a countertenor. His singing combines a naturally sounding tone, a comfortably wide range, and an uncanny ability to convey emotion. Critics occasionally fault him for not being more dramatic (see, e.g., the editorial review on this page), but to me, Taylor's subtle tools of expression are much more appealing than the more overtly operatic style of some other countertenors. Besides, the absence of operatic drama is irrelevant ... Read More