Baritone Julien Van Mellaerts has arrived with his debut album, and it’s a noteworthy entrance. Following acclaimed performances, including Opera Holland Park’s Tatiana and Violetta and Poulenc’s Les Mamelles de Tiresias at the Wigmore Hall, this recording truly puts Van Mellaerts in the spotlight, showcasing his vocal prowess and thoughtful artistry. This album, titled “Songs of Travel and Home,” is a carefully curated collection of songs that explore themes of journeying, belonging, and identity through the rich traditions of New Zealand, British, and French composers.
Alt text: Baritone Julien Van Mellaerts in a poised studio portrait with Sofia Castillo, highlighting their collaboration on his debut album exploring songs about travel and home.
Van Mellaerts himself explains the personal connection to this project, stating, “I wanted to share where I feel connected to and explore the idea of home and identity through song. Having grown up knowing I was from many places, I feel a strong connection to the protagonist in Vaughan Williams / R. L. Stevenson’s ‘Songs of Travel’. I am lucky to call so many beautiful places home, and ultimately, that’s how we settled on the title, Songs of Travel and Home.” This sentiment sets the stage for a deeply personal and resonant listening experience.
A Journey Begins with Roger Quilter and Frank Bridge
The album opens with the quintessential English charm of Roger Quilter’s Go, lovely rose. From the very first notes, the exceptional partnership between Van Mellaerts and pianist James Baillieu is evident. Their musical synergy, born from a meeting at the Verbier Festival in 2017, is a true highlight of this recording. Quilter’s delicate and lyrical style shines brightly in their rendition of this beloved song, the third of Five English Love Lyrics, Op. 24.
This refined English sensibility continues with Now sleeps the crimson petal, another gem by Quilter, which acts as a beautiful prelude to Frank Bridge’s “Three songs for medium voice, viola and piano.” Here, Van Mellaerts is joined by fellow New Zealander, violist Bryony Gibson-Cornish. Gibson-Cornish’s eloquent viola playing adds a layer of depth and texture to Bridge’s compositions, enriching the emotional landscape of these songs. Bridge’s musical language is arguably more intricate than Quilter’s, possessing a unique organic quality that draws the listener in. “Where is it that our soul doth go?”, the second song in this set, exemplifies Bridge’s sophisticated and introspective style.
Gareth Farr’s New Zealand Soundscapes: Ornithological Anecdotes
Moving to contemporary sounds, the album features Gareth Farr’s captivating song cycle Ornithological Anecdotes. This work, commissioned specifically for Van Mellaerts, Baillieu, and Chamber Music New Zealand, sets to music the witty and insightful poems of New Zealand’s poet laureate Bill Manhire. Ornithological Anecdotes provides a fascinating glimpse into the imagined lives of New Zealand’s native birds, which Van Mellaerts playfully describes as “weird.” The cycle is infused with a Britten-esque vocal style, particularly noticeable in the “Follow me” motif in the opening song, “Dotterel.”
The entire song cycle is a delightful experience, full of charm and subtle humor. Farr’s writing is masterful, showcasing a light touch that promises to be even more engaging in live performance. Van Mellaerts truly embodies the storytelling aspect of these songs, bringing each avian character to life, while Baillieu’s piano accompaniment is, as always, a joy to listen to. “Kiwi,” the fourth song in the cycle, is a perfect example of the cycle’s whimsical and engaging nature.
French Refinement: Ravel’s Exotic and Profound Settings
A dramatic shift in atmosphere occurs with Maurice Ravel’s exquisite Chansons madécasses. We are transported to a different sonic world, one filled with perfume and exoticism. Ravel is a composer particularly close to Van Mellaerts’ heart; his academic background includes a dissertation on Ravel’s music from the University of Otago, New Zealand. This inclusion also serves as a nod to Van Mellaerts’ French heritage through his grandfather. In these songs, voice and piano are joined by the delicate flute of Sofia Castillo and the accomplished cello of Raphael Wallfisch, adding rich layers to Ravel’s already vibrant textures. The Chansons madécasses are beautifully complemented by the three Don Quichotte à Dulcinée songs, further exploring Ravel’s diverse vocal writing. “Aoua!”, the second song of the Chansons madécasses, with its restless energy and evocative melodies, is a standout track.
Alt text: A candid shot capturing the recording session at Champs Hill Records, showcasing the collaborative atmosphere behind Julien Van Mellaerts’ album of songs about travel and home.
The texts for Chansons Madécasses are penned by Èvariste de Parny, while Paul Morand provides the words for Don Quichotte à Dulcinée. Composed late in Ravel’s career (1932-33, shortly before his death in 1937), these songs reveal a composer at the height of his powers. The profound depth of “Chanson épique,” the central song of Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, with its quasi-medieval liturgical feel, is particularly striking.
The Culmination: Vaughan Williams’ Songs of Travel
Finally, the album culminates in Vaughan Williams’ iconic Songs of Travel, settings of poems by Robert Louis Stevenson. “The Vagabond,” the opening song and perhaps the most famous in the cycle, immediately paints a picture of wanderlust and adventure. Baillieu’s dynamic piano accompaniment perfectly captures the protagonist’s steady步伐, and Van Mellaerts’ storytelling abilities once again shine through.
Vaughan Williams’ cycle is the most expansive work on the album, a miniature universe within itself. The reviewer aptly draws a parallel between “The Vagabond” and the opening songs of Schubert’s Die schöne Müllerin and Die Winterreise, all of which establish vast emotional landscapes from the outset.
The album concludes with a powerful rendition of “Bright is the ring of words,” the penultimate song of the Songs of Travel cycle. This song traverses a wide spectrum of emotions, and the performance truly highlights Van Mellaerts’ vocal command and dramatic interpretation. The opening phrases are particularly impactful, demonstrating the singer’s impressive vocal control and expressive range.
This debut album from Julien Van Mellaerts is a resounding success. It is a heartfelt and magnificent collection of songs, thoughtfully programmed and radiantly performed. “Songs of Travel and Home” is not just a collection of songs; it’s a journey in itself, exploring themes of travel, identity, and home through a diverse and compelling musical landscape. This is an album that will undoubtedly resonate with listeners and establish Julien Van Mellaerts as a significant voice in the world of vocal music.
