Big sales for this one, no doubt, though a glance at the contents will probably be sufficient for readers to decide whether they wish to contribute to them or not. If ‘not’ is the answer, may I nevertheless urge that it might be worthwhile somehow or other managing (unless, of course, absolutely appalled by the very idea) to hear Lazy Bones. This is the last track of all, a kind of encore, a nonchalant response (in sequence) to the deep purple pieties of Abide with me. Often, perhaps usually, when opera singers try something of this kind one feels it would be right to crawl away and quietly die; but this is as to the manner born, and, though without claiming to have put it to the test, I fancy it would stand comparison with the late Bing himself.

Of the rest, I can’t say anything that would convincingly recommend it to readers who must know that every review page in this and every other edition of Gramophone contains so much that has a better claim on their time, money and interest. It’s not a programme that brings out the best in Terfel, however sincere he is in all he does. At least the arrangements (Schubert’s Ave Maria excepted) are inoffensive and sometimes bring a distinctive and attractive touch. But great things are expected. The programme ‘will strike a chord with a wide audience,’ says the publicity-sheet, which also quotes a description of it as ‘the disc we’ve all been waiting for’. Well, not quite all, perhaps.