Dynamic recital by Philippe Sly and Julius Drake at Toronto Summer Music Festival Reviewed by Stanley Fefferman

Twenty-something Philippe Sly wields an impressive voice. Like the mythical John Henry’s hammer, it rings like silver in the upper register, the middle shines like gold, and his bass is firm as iron. From the second line of Henri Duparc’s “Chanson Triste” Sly interested with his way of rolling out phrases, englobing lines in cavernous spaces. It was also clear early on in the program of French and German song that usually Sly followed the opening lead of pianist Julius Drake. READ THE FULL REVIEW