Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Taking its name from Fauré's famous La Bonne Chanson cycle, this is a collection of French songs for voice and diverse chamber ensemble. It includes not only the Fauré but Ravel's Three Poems of Stéphane Mallarmé, Frank Martin's Three Christmas Songs and, strangest of all, Poulenc's Rapsodie négre, an early, misguided attempt at Gauguin-esque exotica. Most of it is tasty stuff, particularly for those who have a high tolerance for musical radiance and don't need that much shade with their light. Performances by Otter are, as always, smart and fastidious, though perhaps a tad cool. -- David Patrick Stearns

Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson, Music, Maurice Ravel, Ernest Chausson, Frank Martin, Maurice Delage, Camille Saint-Saens, Francis Poulenc, Gabriel Fauré, Anne Sofie von Otter, Bengt Forsberg, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Classical Vocals, Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard, Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra, Solo Voice(s) and Small Ensemble, Song Cycle for Solo Voice with Piano or Orchestra, Vocal
Mots D'Amour: Songs By Cecile Chaminade
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • SONGS OF INNOCENCE
  • Anne Sofie brings Chaminade's songs to light and life!
  • Delightful
  • Musical Archaeology of a Very High Order
 Mots D'Amour: Songs By Cecile Chaminade
Anne Sofie von Otter , Cécile Chaminade , and Bengt Forsberg
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Otter, Anne Sophie vonOtter, Anne Sophie von | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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Similar Items:
  1. Songs by Bizet
  2. Anne Sofie von Otter Sings Offenbach
  3. Anne Sofie von Otter - Love's Twilight (Late Romantic Songs by Berg, Korngold, Strauss)
  4. Susan Graham - La Belle Époque (The Songs of Reynaldo Hahn)
  5. Anne Sofie von Otter - Folksongs (Dvorak, Kodaly, Britten, Grainger, Larsson, Hahn)

ASIN: B00005OM82
Release Date: 2002-02-12

Tracks:

  1. Melodies: Ronde D'amour: 'Ah! Si L'amour Prenait Racine'
  2. Melodies: La Lune Paresseuse: 'Dans Un Rayon De Crepuscule'
  3. Melodies: Sombrero: 'Qu'elle Etait Mutine Et Coquette'
  4. Melodies: Mignonne: 'Mignonne, Allons Voir Si La Rose'
  5. Melodies: L'Anneau D'argent: 'Le Cher Anneau D'argent'
  6. Melodies: Ma Premiere Lettre: 'Helas! Que Nous Oublions Vite'
  7. Melodies: L'Amour Captif: 'Mignonne, A L'amour J'ai Lie Les Ailes'
  8. Melodies: Attente (Au Pays De Provence): 'Je Ne Sais A Quoi Je Reve'
  9. Melodies: Voisinage: 'Je N'avais Pas Encor Vingt Ans'
  10. Melodies: Bonne Humeur: 'Nous Marchions Sous La Fine Pluie'
  11. Melodies: Alleluia: 'J'avais Doute De Votre Amour'
  12. Melodies: Malgre Nous: 'Ce N'est Pas la Faute A Nous Deux'
  13. Melodies: Nice-La-Belle: 'Quand Ton Ciel Se Dore'
  14. Melodies: Menuet: 'Dans Votre Robe A Grands Paniers'
  15. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Te Souviens-tu?: 'Te Souviens-Tu De Ta Promesse'
  16. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Aupres De Ma Mie: 'Si J'etais L'oiseau Leger'
  17. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Viens! Mon Bien-Aime!: 'Les Beaux Jours Vont Enfin Renaitre'
  18. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Si J'etais Jardinier: 'Si J'etais Jardinier Des Cieux'
  19. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Villanelle: 'Le Ble Superbe Est Rentre'
  20. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Mots D'amour: 'Quand Je Te Dis Des Mots Lasses'
  21. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Ecrin: 'Tes Yeux Malicieux'
  22. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Espoir: 'Ne Dis Pas Que L'espoir'
  23. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Chanson Triste: 'Dans Les Profondes Mers'
  24. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: Je Voudrais...: 'Je Voudrais Etre Une Fleur'
  25. Melodies For Voice, Violin And Piano: L'Ete: 'Ah! Chantez, Chantez!'
  26. Pieces For Violin & Piano: Serenade Espagnole Op.150
  27. Pieces For Violin & Piano: Rondeau Op.97
  28. Pieces For Violin & Piano: Capriccio Op.18
  29. Pieces For Two Pianos: Valse Carnavalesque Op.73
  30. Pieces For Two Pianos: Pas Des Cymbales Op.36 No.2
  31. Pieces For Two Pianos: Danse Paienne Op.158

Amazon.com

Just take it as read that Anne Sofie von Otter is in her usual captivating form. Her legions of fans needn't think twice before acquiring this fascinating new album. What, though, of the music itself? Pianist and composer Cécile Chaminade, born in Paris in 1857, is known to aficionados as a composer of piano miniatures, a fact reflected in what has crept into the recording catalogue over the years. Here, though, are the fruits of pianist Bengt Forsberg's enthusiasm for the songs. And irresistible they are, too. How on earth have such imaginative, charming, elegant, and beautifully crafted melodies (all on the subject of amour) escaped widespread acknowledgement for so long? There's a wide range of moods, from the bubbling "Malgré Nous" and the whimsical "L'Amour captif" to the passionate "Te souviens-tu?" and the reflective, bittersweet "Ma première lettre." As you might expect from a pianist-composer, the accompaniments are delightful, a fact relished to the full by Forsberg. Von Otter identifies with every phrase (barring the odd rather unseemly scoop) and emotion. Various short pieces for violin and piano, and two pianos, provide an engagingly performed bonus. --Andrew Green

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars SONGS OF INNOCENCE.......2005-05-21

As it happens, I have been moderately familiar with the music of Cecile Chaminade for a number of years, so perhaps I can give anyone curious but uncertain what to expect some idea of what he or she will find on this disc. Chaminade seems to have been totally celibate her entire life. She eventually abandoned music for exhausting work as a hospital administrator in the first world war. Debilitation due to this cause and, according to the sleeve note, to an excessively vegetarian diet led to her losing a foot through amputation, but she lived on until age 87, dying in 1944. Her musical style is in many obvious senses conservative. The harmonic advances of Debussy and Ravel, and even of Faure, find no echo in her work. The style is very French, and there may be some influence of Saint-Saens, but for me there are odd reminiscences of Berlioz, himself a lot more innocent in many ways than he liked to let on.

The 25 love songs here are, with only one exception unless my ears deceive me, in major keys. The only poet whose name is familiar to me is Ronsard, and the sentiments are chaste and asexual from start to finish. Despite that they manage to sound very Parisian and ooh-la-la. They are not pale and maidenly but full of high spirits and energy. There are no dark shadows even in the minor-key number, and not a hint of the worldly-wisdom of Jane Austen. The piano parts are boldly written and occasionally quite demanding, and there is also a violin obbligato in the Minuet. In addition we are given three violin/piano duos (one arranged by Kreisler) and three slightly larger works for two pianos, in which it would be possible to hear the idiom of Saint-Saens but not for certain.

Anne Sofie von Otter's expression in the photographs will tell you at a glance how she intends to go about the songs. Her voice is nothing like Piaf's of course, and the songs would not bring the house down at the Paris Olympia, but she gets as near to that style as artistic integrity allows. Her French sounds very good indeed to me, and she gives Chaminade everything she has got, all vivacity, extroversion and joie-de-vivre. Chaminade seems to have nothing to regret either.

The other artists distinguish themselves thoroughly. The feel of enjoyment about this recital comes through as strongly from Bengt Forsberg's vigorous and dexterous piano-playing as from the singer herself. The violin parts are done very well, joining in the general mood, and there is a fine sturdy contribution on the second piano from Peter Jablonski. Everything about this disc delighted me from start to finish. The recorded sound is just about ideal for the purpose, and even the liner note is very good. Full texts of the songs are of course provided, with English translation and German Uebersetzung. One of the songs proclaims `Je voudrais etre une fleur'. It's a bit late now, but I sometimes wonder whether innocence doesn't have more to be said for it than we are vectored into believing in these enlightened days.

5 out of 5 stars Anne Sofie brings Chaminade's songs to light and life!.......2004-03-20

Anne Sofie brings Chaminade's vocal music to an elevated level with Berlioz, Faure and Duparc in the classical world. Most of these pieces were unheard of until von Otter brought them to the public's attention with her beautiful interpretation of Chaminade's melody and text. Bengt Forsberg provides support that opens the gateway to a beautiful and expressive performance of these melodies. This is truly a treasure for any classical vocal library!

5 out of 5 stars Delightful.......2003-12-10

This delightful CD of music by Cecile Chaminade, was the inspiration of Bengt Forsberg. He spent decades searching for and "collecting her music in second-hand music shops." While collaborating with Anne Sofie von Otter on another program, Forsberg showed her these neglected songs. The result was this wonderful CD. Probably you should listen to this CD for the Chaminade melodies. (25 of the 140 songs are presented here). But, Forsberg has also recorded the pieces for violin & piano and pieces for two pianos with Spaft, and Jablonski. The inclusion of these pieces, gives us a more complete idea of Chaminade's range of composition.

The artistry of von Otter, is captivating, and Forsberg clearly has an affinity for Chaminade's romantic French music.

It is easy to record and sell the tried and true, but Anne Sofie von Otter and Bengt Forsberg (and DG) have done something risky in recording Chaminade's music. She is not Mozart. At the time of this writing this recording ranked 38,201 on Amazon.com's sale ranking system. And so, perhaps it will not payoff for the artists and the company involved. Perhaps this CD will not be available for long. Perhaps. But IT IS available NOW, and so I encourage anyone who reads this to find a way to hear this delightful music in these nearly perfect performances.

I highly recommend it.

5 out of 5 stars Musical Archaeology of a Very High Order.......2002-05-30

It is hardly news to say that Anne Sophie von Otter is quite, quite amazing; she has, in her way, reached the point that a celebrated stage actress might, at which we would say that she could recite the telephone book and we would listen gratefully.

Fortunately for us she is instead singing the lovely songs of the undeservedly obscure Cecile Chaminade, whose exquisite and entirely retrograde songs are given their due and more in these sensitive and heartfelt performances. Several cheers at least should be given for the worthy contributions of pianists Bengt Forsberg and Peter Jablonski (the former on both song accompaniments and the instrumental tracks that end the album) as well for Nils-Erik Sparf on violin.

This collection is just the thing for anyone fond of intelligent singing, sentimental poetry, or music that aims to warm a tired heart. It is most of all for anyone who knows, with Mlle. Chaminade, that one might someday forget one's first love letter, but never the feeling that inspired it...
Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • One of von Otter's most enjoyable efforts. Buy It.
  • Otherworldly
 Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson
Maurice Ravel , Ernest Chausson , Frank Martin , Maurice Delage , Camille Saint-Saens , Francis Poulenc , Gabriel Fauré , Anne Sofie von Otter , and Bengt Forsberg
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chausson, ErnestChausson, Ernest | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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  4. Anne Sofie von Otter - Lamenti (Monteverdi, Vivaldi, Purcell, Bertali, Legrenzi) / Goebel
  5. Anne Sofie von Otter - Grieg Songs

ASIN: B000001GRC
Release Date: 1996-10-15

Tracks:

  1. 1. Ravel: Trois Poemes de Stephane Mallarme I. Soupir
  2. II. Placet futile
  3. III. Surgi de la croupe et du bond
  4. Chausson: Chanson perpetuelle
  5. Martin: Trois chants de Noel I. Les cadeaux
  6. II. Image de No l
  7. III. Les Bergers
  8. Delage Quatre Poemes hindous I. Madras
  9. II. Lahore
  10. III. Benares
  11. IV. Jeypur
  12. Saint-Saens: Une flute invisible
  13. Poulenc: Rapsodie negre I. Prelude
  14. II. Ronde
  15. III. Honoloulou
  16. IV. Pastorale
  17. V. Final
  18. Faure: La bonne chanson Op 61 I. Une sante en son aureole
  19. II. Puisque l'aube grandit
  20. III. La lune blanche luit dans les bois
  21. IV. J'allais par des chemins perfides
  22. V. J'ai presque peur, en verite
  23. VI. Avant que tu ne t'en ailles
  24. VII. Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d'ete
  25. VIII. N'est-ce pas ?
  26. IX. L'hiver a cesse

Amazon.com

Taking its name from Fauré's famous La Bonne Chanson cycle, this is a collection of French songs for voice and diverse chamber ensemble. It includes not only the Fauré but Ravel's Three Poems of Stéphane Mallarmé, Frank Martin's Three Christmas Songs and, strangest of all, Poulenc's Rapsodie négre, an early, misguided attempt at Gauguin-esque exotica. Most of it is tasty stuff, particularly for those who have a high tolerance for musical radiance and don't need that much shade with their light. Performances by Otter are, as always, smart and fastidious, though perhaps a tad cool. -- David Patrick Stearns

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of von Otter's most enjoyable efforts. Buy It........2006-05-05

'La Bonne Chanson' by mezzosoprano Anne Sophie Von Otter is the kind of album I really enjoy from today's great female classic vocalists. Next to interpretations of Kurt Weill's German works, the French art song is by far my favorite. It sounds less stilted than the English chamber song and far less heavy than the German Lieder from Shubert and his compatriots. It is neck and neck in my mind with good interpretations of Italian love songs.

I was fortunate to be able to compare this album with the Dawn Upshaw effort, 'The Girl With Orange Lips', on which she performs Ravel's 'Trois Poemes de Stephane Mallarme', which also open Von Otter's disk. I have to say that on these pieces, the two artists sound virtually identical, although Von Otter has just the slightest greater strength and authority in her voice. Picking between the two on these pieces would require a fair coin toss.

On the other hand, Von Otter's other material on this disk is far better than the material on Upshaw's disk, even though they also share performances of Maurice Delage's 'Quatre Poemes hindous'.

Von Otter's performances of Poulenc's 'Rapsodie negre' and Gabriel Faure's 'La Bonne Chanson' are especially good at having me sit up and take notice.

This is especially more enjoyable than her celebrated recordings of Edvard Grieg's songs.

5 out of 5 stars Otherworldly.......2001-06-30

Anne Sofie Von Otter's vocalism is simply one of the most sophisticated these days and, in this disc, she sings music of a very sophisticated nature. The Mallarmé songs are, in its own right, some of the most creative and exquisite in the French repertoire and here Von Otter produces sounds of instrumental and yet most expressive nature. The Chanson Perpetuelle is also sung in the most expressive and wide tonal range and the Swedish mezzo's French couldn't be more idiomatic. It is no wonder that her Mélisande in the Paris Opera was considered to be a complete success. She offers highly virtuosistic and sensitive performances in the Hindu songs and the Fauré are all delicious. My only doubt is about the inclusion of Poulenc's Rhapsodie Nègre in this recital. It has nothing to do with the rest of the pieces and it is an uninspiring piece, especially today when épater la bourgeoisie is something nobody cares about anymore. It is a minor problem in such a nice disc, but I regret that she didn't record here more Fauré and why not some Debussy? Forsberg is the usual nicest pianist and the rest of the team offer great ensemble performances. Wonderfully recorded sound by DG.
Anne Sofie von Otter - The Artist's Album
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • One of my favorite recordings
  • Beautiful voice, beautiful music
  • Anne Sofie von Otter- The Artist's Album
  • A fantastic CD collection of arias!!
  • Amazing versatility and unparalleled emotion
 Anne Sofie von Otter - The Artist's Album
Gustav Mahler , Johannes Brahms , Edvard Grieg , Richard Strauss , Erich Wolfgang Korngold , Robert Schumann , Kurt Weill , Ture Rangstrom , Hugo Alfven , Maurice Delage , Gabriel Fauré , Franz Schubert , George Frideric Handel , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart , Claudio Monteverdi , Christoph Willibald Gluck , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Gioachino Rossini , Hannover North German Radio Orchestra , Dresden Staatskapelle , Frankfurt Opera House and Museum Orchestra , John Eliot Gardiner , Reinhard Goebel , Trevor Pinnock , Marc Minkowski , James Levine , Cord Garben , and Ralf Gothoni
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  4. Peter Lieberson: Neruda Songs
  5. Lorraine Hunt Lieberson: Handel Arias

ASIN: B00000613V
Release Date: 1998-04-14

Tracks:

  1. Serenade
  2. Sonntag, Op. 47 No.3
  3. Elsk, Op. 67 No. 5
  4. Meinem Kinde, Op. 37 No. 3
  5. Gefasster Abschied, Op. 14 no. 4
  6. Lust der Sturmnacht, Op. 35 No. 1
  7. Dein Angesicht, Op. 127 No. 2
  8. One Touch of Venus: I'm A Stranger Here Myself
  9. Berlin im Licht
  10. Vingar i natten
  11. Skogen sover, Op. 28 No. 6
  12. Lahore: Lahore: 'Un sapin isole se dresse'
  13. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 'La lune blanche luit dans les bois'
  14. Der Wanderer an den Mond, D 870
  15. An Silvia, D891
  16. Il pianot di Maria: 'Giunta l'ora fatal' HWV 234: 'Se d'un Dio fui fatta Madre'
  17. 'Komm, liebe Zither' K. 351, 367
  18. Don Giovanni: 'In quali eccessi' - 'Mi tradi', No. 21B: Accompanied Recitative And Aria
  19. La Clemenza di Tito: 'Quello di Tito e il volto!', No. 18 Trio
  20. L'Incoronazione di Poppea: 'A Dio Roma!, a Dio, patria! amici, a Dio!'
  21. Ariodante: 'Tu, preparati a morire', Aria
  22. Paride ed Elena: 'Oh, del mio dolce ardor': Aria
  23. 5 Lieder: Liebst du um Schonheit
  24. Eugene Onegin: 'Kak ya lublyu pod zvuki pesen etikh' - 'Uzh kak po mostu, mostochku': Scene And Aria
  25. La Cenerentolla: 'Nacqui all'affanno

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars One of my favorite recordings.......2005-10-01

This recording is sublime!!! This is a compilation of Anne Sofie von Otter's favorite pieces. She chose such diverse and lovely music. Her diction is incredible. Her expressive voice moved me to tears in "A dio Roma," by Monteverdi. Her Handelian arias were also wonderful. My favorites from this CD are: all of the German lieder pieces, "A dio Roma" (Monteverdi), "Un sapin isole' se dresse" (Lahore), "I'm a Stranger Here Myself" (Weill), "In quali eccessi...Mi tradi" (Mozart), and "Non piu mesta" (Rossini). She is such an amazing Lyric Mezzo soprano. I love her so much. I also reccomend the Mass in C minor with Anne Sofie von Otter and Kiri te Kanawa, Cosi fan tutte with Renee Fleming (Mozart), and Ariodante (Handel). I strongly advise anyone to purchase this recording!!!

5 out of 5 stars Beautiful voice, beautiful music.......2005-09-10

Superior quality recording! Gorgeous vocal production and sound. Terrific choice of material. Top of the line recording.

4 out of 5 stars Anne Sofie von Otter- The Artist's Album.......2005-08-06

Some of the songs are a little too obscure for me, but I like her singing. However, I like Renee Fleming's singing better.

5 out of 5 stars A fantastic CD collection of arias!!.......2005-01-06

Anne Sofie Von Otter's mezzo voice is amazing!! Her selections of Handel's Ariodante and Rossini's La Cenerentola were amazing!! This CD is amazing and if you're a huge fan of Von Otter, you should get this CD!!

5 out of 5 stars Amazing versatility and unparalleled emotion.......2004-02-09

OK, so I own almost everything she's done. I am particularly fond of songs/lieder and, having listened to a great number of both male and female song singers, I can find no singer in the same universe. The intelligence of her approach, the control of her vocal color and vibrato to match the notes and lyrics, the playfulness with which she approaches the music are without equal.
This is an interesting disc and I didn't buy it until recently since I already had a lot of it and prefer songs to arias. But it was quite a revelation. The Handel and Weill are wonderful. For something completely different, try the Delage "Lahore" Track 12. Eerie and beautiful.
If Track #11, Skogen Sover, doesn't make you cry you have no heart. It may be the most beautiful use of the human voice I've ever heard. Listen carefully to the way she changes vowel sounds in the word 'juninatt' throwing in the 'n' both times so you barely hear it and it doesn't disrupt the vowel color change. At the end, turn up the volume and listen to her fade out with no vibrato until she's barely audible, then add just a touch of vibrato as she finishes with the final 't' of 'juninatt'.
There may be better aria singers, with some voices better for some types of opera. But this woman's incredible versatility is well-reflected here and a delight to listen to. Even a Rossini at the end, gynmastics and all. Has there ever been a singer with a wider repertoire matched with such gorgeous emotion? Now, if we could only get the UK version of this disc, with more and different offerings, here on Amazon USA...
A great intro to this powerful, emotional singer. Take it as a starter and buy the full discs that have the tracks you like best. You'll be captivated and not disappointed.

Music Review:

  1. Arthur Foote: Chamber Music, Vol. 1
  2. Bach, Handel: Solo Cantatas, etc. [Original recording remastered]
  3. Bach: Sonatas for Viola da Gamba and Cembalo
  4. Beethoven: Octet Op. 103; Rondino WoO25
  5. Beethoven: Piano Sonatas 17, 18, 21 & 22
  6. Beethoven: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 6
  7. Beethoven: Symphony No. 5; Mendelssohn: Symphony No. 4 "Italian" [Hybrid SACD] [Hybrid SACD] [SACD]
  8. Berg: Lulu Suite - Wozzeck Three Experts / Levine, The MET Orchestra
  9. Berg, Stravinsky: Violin Concertos / Perlman, Ozawa
  10. Brahms: Cello Sonatas [includes bonus DVD]

Music Review

music review

Music Review

Melton, Levy and the Dey Brothers

Electro-Acoustic Cello Book

Doctor Bulls Good Night

702

Drum Major! [Import]

Escape To The Spa

First Thirty Years [Import]

Ether Song

Drew's Famous Maui Beach Party Music

Dufay: O gemma lux

Easy Living [Import]

Dame un Senal

Con el Alma en la Mano

I Due Foscari

Between The Buttons