The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
When it comes to song writing, Ernest Chausson has long stood in the shadows of Debussy, Duparc, Fauré, and Ravel, but his gentle and self-effacing songs go so much further than the merely charming. To have the complete collection gathered on disc is a treat, and with artists like these, the performances are about as good as you could expect this side of the pearly gates. Ann Murray and Felicity Lott need no introduction for their celestial singing of this repertoire. The American baritone Chris Pedro Trakas is less well-known, but he comes with a clutch of top prizes and, more to the point, a beautifully sensitive voice, which he uses to great effect here.

Underpinning everything is accompanist Graham Johnson, whose playing is always just so right, whatever area of the song repertoire he takes on, and who provides (uncredited) a must-read essay on Chausson that really engages with the music. Soprano Geraldine McGreevy is a welcome addition in two duets, as is the Chilingirian Quartet, accompanying Ann Murray in the final number, "Chanson perpétuelle." If a reason for a reassessment of Chausson's role as a writer of mélodie is needed, this marvelous set is overwhelmingly it. --Keith Clarke

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Graham Johnson says in his booklet that ‘Chausson is not one of the four or five unarguably great mélodie composers', but that makes his songs harder to sing, not easier. The lesser ones are close to salon trifles, but not close enough for them to be patronized by amateurish performance. The finest are often very difficult indeed, either because they are vocally demanding or their moods are elusive. They need intelligent singers, in short, and Graham Johnson and Hyperion have chosen... read more

The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson

The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson, Music, Ernest Chausson, Felicity Lott, Ann Murray, Chilingirian Quartet, Graham Johnson, Chris Pedro Trakas, Geraldine McGreevy, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Classical Vocals, Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard, Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra, Song Collection for Solo Voice and Piano, Two Solo Voices (with or without Keyboard/Continuo), Vocal
The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson
Average customer rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
  • A SUPERB SET...
  • a spectacular record
  • Fascinating rep, rancid singing
 The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson
Ernest Chausson , Felicity Lott , Ann Murray , Chilingirian Quartet , Graham Johnson , Chris Pedro Trakas , and Geraldine McGreevy
Manufacturer: Hyperion UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Chausson, ErnestChausson, Ernest | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
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  5. Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin

ASIN: B00004RITI
Release Date: 2001-04-10

Amazon.com

When it comes to song writing, Ernest Chausson has long stood in the shadows of Debussy, Duparc, Fauré, and Ravel, but his gentle and self-effacing songs go so much further than the merely charming. To have the complete collection gathered on disc is a treat, and with artists like these, the performances are about as good as you could expect this side of the pearly gates. Ann Murray and Felicity Lott need no introduction for their celestial singing of this repertoire. The American baritone Chris Pedro Trakas is less well-known, but he comes with a clutch of top prizes and, more to the point, a beautifully sensitive voice, which he uses to great effect here.

Underpinning everything is accompanist Graham Johnson, whose playing is always just so right, whatever area of the song repertoire he takes on, and who provides (uncredited) a must-read essay on Chausson that really engages with the music. Soprano Geraldine McGreevy is a welcome addition in two duets, as is the Chilingirian Quartet, accompanying Ann Murray in the final number, "Chanson perpétuelle." If a reason for a reassessment of Chausson's role as a writer of mélodie is needed, this marvelous set is overwhelmingly it. --Keith Clarke

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A SUPERB SET..........2007-04-30

.
5-stars just for being in print.

A rare and superb set; ignore the 1-star review.
.

5 out of 5 stars a spectacular record.......2003-10-10

Truly a great recording - sung by outstanding artists, especially Felicity Lott, and accompanied by Graham Johnson in his best form..... The music is truly glorious and the recording is a revelation with many beautiful nuances. A total joy!!!

1 out of 5 stars Fascinating rep, rancid singing.......2003-06-10

I picked this CD up because I love the melodie in general and Chausson in particular. What a pity that the performances can't hold a candle to the composer's inspiration. Felicity Lott is her usual shrill self, Ann Murray is even more wobbly and out-of-line than usual, Chris Trakas has no lower range and a pinched top, and Geraldine McGreevy sings as if she had a beautiful voice, which she most emphatically does not. All of these artists are woefully out of tune, which sits particularly unpleasantly on the ear in the chromatic universe of Chausson. As for Graham Johnson, the less said the better. There are those who think he is a fine accompanist and pianist. Fine. Let them think so. They must be deaf or have short memories. If one wants to hear great performances of French rep, turn to young Souzay, with Jacqueline Bonneau on a deleted Decca CD. This is rarified music, but these people have not the technique to do it justice.

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