Review: Marvelous Lemieux in Berlioz and Ravel, Plus a Major Saint-Saëns Discovery
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 20 มิ.ย. 2024
- Berlioz: Les Nuits d'Été
Ravel: Shéhérazade
Saint-Saëns: Mélodies Persanes
Marie-Nicole Lemieux (alto)
Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo, Kazuki Yamada (cond.) Erato - เพลง
Mélodies persanes no. 1, 2 & 5 (from Op. 26) were included in Markus Poschner's compilation of orchestral Saint-Saëns songs recorded on Alpha Classics, featuring Yann Beuron (Tenor) and Thassis Christoyannis (Baritone) as soloists, with the Orchestra della Svizzera-Italiana. This recording, too, is a labour of love of Bru-Zane (released in 2017). All in all, there are 19 songs (among which are such gems as Le Pas d'Armes du Roi Jean). It also includes the orchestrated version of the Danse Macabre original SONG. A true delight!
I am astonished to find that someone else also rearranges the order of songs in Berlioz's song set! I have been doing that for at least ten years. "Summer Nights" is top drawer for me, starting with Dame Janet Baker.
I've never heard : 'les mélodies persanes ' . Thank-you !
I wonder, Dave, if you’ve had a chance to listen to any of Veronique Gens new album of French orchestral songs on Alpha Classics called ‘Paysage’? I was very taken by it, particularly the songs by Dubois.
Thanks for bringing this to our attention. The orchestrated Saint-Saëns songs are indeed delightful in this expanded incarnation, and forming them into a suite and adding a couple of orchestral movements does enhance their appeal.
Recordings with piano are available, though they don[t seem to have been often recorded as a complete set. TH-cam does offer a complete set.
I am generally a fan of Ms. Lemieux, though here I don't find her vocally as fresh as I would hope.
I like the Ravel more than I expected, and the Berlioz somewhat less.
Two tough works and two enduring masterpieces.
Neither of these new versions will replace my old favorites.
And I find the orchestral contribution less satisfying than some of the 'oldies'.
But I will be happy to add them to my collection. I, too, collect both these works.
Very fair. I agree Lemieux has sounded better, and it could be my enthusiasm for the repertoire led me to excuse some strain on her part (which I did call out in the Ravel).
I love Lemieux! Another golden tip for lovers of (pseudo-)orientalist French art songs: Marianne Crebassa, Erato, 2017, Debussy (3 chansons de Bilitis), Ravel (Shéhérazade & Vocalise-habanera), Debussy (3 mélodies), Fauré (Mirages), Duparc (4 mélodies). Listen and marvel!!
Thanks so much for letting us know about this! Sheherazade is written for soprano, isn't it? That might explain the strain! Ms. Lemieux will probably be shunned by the continental French due to her French-Canadian accent, but we anglophones will happily accept her.
Yes, but Marilyn Horne did it with no problem (I know, she's a mezzo, but still).
and if continental french was not a problem for ms. horne, it is not a problem for ms. Lemieux. after all, it's her mother tongue. By the way, your French pronunciation is impressive mr Hurwitz
Something I’ve been wondering about for a while:Why aren’t French orchestras better known, at least outside of France? I could probably name five orchestras centred in London alone but I’m not sure I could name a single French orchestra with certainty. Is it because the French just never got into symphonies and concertos like other countries? Just wondering.
Basically yes.
Unfortunately, I don't love French art songs and God knows I've tried, and with some fabulous singers. But speaking of things French, how about a "reference recording" of Bizet's Symphony in C, L'Arlesienne Suites, and, if possible, "Carmen" (PLEASE don't choose the de los Angeles/Beecham!)
I think it’s fair to say that Dave doesn’t “choose” the reference recordings. He identifies them. The references are independent of Dave. The Carmen reference recording (if there is one; a question of editions, in part) probably is indeed de los Angeles and Beecham. But I’m sure that Dave will weigh in on this before long.
@@markzacek237 I agree. The reference recordings are what they are. The de los Angeles/Beecham is certainly it though, personally, I find Vicki far too ladylike. You don't want to exaggerate the character but she sounds as if she wouldn't be caught dead at Pastias' hangout. But a reference is a reference.
@@markzacek237 I agree that Dave identifies the reference recordings rather than chooses them. The editions are a big bugaboo of mine - strongly prefer the original.