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Néère (Hahn, Duparc, Chausson)
Véronique Gens
Mélodies (French) - Released October 16, 2015 | Alpha Classics
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The soprano Véronique Gens might be thought a natural for the French art song repertoire. But Néère, taking its title from the opening song by Reynaldo Hahn (the reference is to the Greek nymph known in English as Neaera, "white as a fine marble statue, with her rosy cheeks"), is one of just a few albums in the genre she has released. Get hold of it without delay: it's gorgeous. The French mélodie is not a high-register genre, and for a singer like Gens these songs reside in the lower part of her range, where she now brings just a bit of sultriness and smoke with devastating effect. The program includes three composers of the late 19th century who are closely related but contrasting in their individual styles: in the words of annotator Nicolas Southon "the melancholic Henri Duparc, the elegiac Ernest Chausson, the charmer Reynaldo Hahn." You could really dip in anywhere, but sample track 15, Hahn's A Chloris, for a taste of what Gens can do. The playing of accompanist Susan Manoff seems welded to Gens' vocal line, which even with all the voluptuous, erotic beauty has a kind of steely concentration that grows stronger and more impressive as the album proceeds. An absolute gem.© TiVo
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Mélodies Françaises Pour Bariton
Gérard Souzay
Classical - Released January 1, 2005 | Regis Records
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Debussy / Chausson: Mélodies
Christine Schäfer
Classical - Released January 1, 2000 | Deutsche Grammophon (DG)
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Le temps des Lilas
Matilda Colliard
Classical - Released November 7, 2021 | Matilda Colliard 2021
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Chausson: Le poème de l'amour et de la mer, Op.19: III. Le temps des lilas (Live)
Annina Haug
Classical - Released March 16, 2021 | Annina Haug
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Peau d'âne - Bande Originale du Film de Jacques Demy (1970)
Michel Legrand
Musical Theatre - Released January 1, 1970 | Playtime
Distinctions
The Qobuz Ideal Discography
Of the many collaborations between director Jacques Demy, composer Michel Legrand, and star Catherine Deneuve, 1970's Peau d'Ane is in many respects the most surreal and extravagant, if not the most accomplished. Where their earlier Umbrellas of Cherbourg and Young Girls of Rochefort were full-blown musicals steeped in contemporary pop and jazz motifs, Peau d'Ane -- a lavish adaptation of a Charles Perrault fairy tale complete with outrageous costumes and sets -- quite naturally boasts a more traditional and classical score, but while Legrand's songs and arrangements are certainly lovely, they nevertheless lack the spark and energy of his earlier efforts for Demy. Where both Cherbourg and Rochefort command attention like few motion picture scores, Peau d'Ane operates largely as background music. Only a few of the songs feature vocals, and among them only "Les Insults" is truly compelling. But until the film Peau d'Ane resurfaces on video, the score will have to do.© Jason Ankeny /TiVo
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Sérénade (Gounod, Bizet, Chabrier, Meyerbeer...)
Thomas Hampson
Duets - Released September 15, 2017 | PentaTone
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4 étoiles Classica
Conceived for the intimate environment of the Parisian salon, these composers honed their skills to produce songs which are sophisticated, superbly crafted and laced with drama, irony and surprise. Always a delight, these songs palpably caress the listener with their beautifully contrived melodies and exquisitely refined harmonies, particularly evident in the plaintive, haunting songs of Ernest Chausson and Jules Massenet. Gallic wit and verbal dexterity is provided in the famous Danse Macabre of Camille Saint-Saëns, Emmanuel Chabrier’s Villanelle des petits canards, and the charming Sérénade and Ô ma belle rebelle by Charles Gounod. It’s a fascinating survey brought vividly to life in these compelling performances in pristine multi-channel sound. © Pentatone