Editorial Reviews
Michel F. Sarda, Director, French Institute of Arizona
A gem of a CD!
From the Artist
What makes a wonderful song? My own view is that a great song is that magical combination of a good poem with good music, resulting in a whole that is greater than the mere sum of its parts. This is a collection of some wonderful songs of France, both classical and pop, dating from about 1800 through the 20th century. There are songs of nostalgia, playfulness, tragedy, loneliness, irony, mystery, mostly involving love in its myriad guises. There is great music and great poetry. ... read more
Album Description
What makes a wonderful song? My own view is that a great song is that magical combination of a good poem with good music, resulting in a whole that is greater than the mere sum of its parts. This is a collection of some wonderful songs of France, both "classical" and pop, dating from about 1800 through the 20th century. There are songs of nostalgia, playfulness, tragedy, loneliness, irony, and mystery, mostly involving love in its myriad guises. It has been an adventure -- exploring the nuances of the language and the music. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as we have enjoyed working on and performing them. Eileen Mager.
Classic French Songs
Classic French Songs, Music, Jacques Brel, Claude Debussy, Henri Duparc, Gabriel Faure, Jean Ferrat, Leo Ferre, Yves Hubert Giraud, Reynaldo Hahn, Joseph Kosma, Johann Paul Aegidius Martini, M. Philippe-Gerard, Camille Saint-Saens, Erik Satie, Ellen Brown, Eileen Mager, 20th/21st Century Music for Voice and Keyboard, Art Song (General), Classical, Classical Vocals, French Romantic Opera, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Miscellaneous Vocal Music, Opera, Romantic Music for Voice and Keyboard, Solo Voice(s) and Orchestra, Vocal, Vocal Music, You name it, she'll sing it... better. A one-of-a-kind Diva, Eileen Mager sings opera, jazz, Broadway, folk, classical, religious works, spirituals and gospel. Her performances have included works of more than 80 composers, in 15 languages.
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Classic French Songs
Manufacturer: Eroica Classical ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00005CFHA Release Date: 2001-03-01 |
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Album Description
What makes a wonderful song? My own view is that a great song is that magical combination of a good poem with good music, resulting in a whole that is greater than the mere sum of its parts. This is a collection of some wonderful songs of France, both "classical" and pop, dating from about 1800 through the 20th century. There are songs of nostalgia, playfulness, tragedy, loneliness, irony, and mystery, mostly involving love in its myriad guises. It has been an adventure -- exploring the nuances of the language and the music. I hope you enjoy listening to these songs as much as we have enjoyed working on and performing them. Eileen Mager.Customer Reviews:
No no no no.......2005-02-07
A clever fusion.......2005-01-31
Amateurish.......2003-06-29
What a Voice!.......2001-09-28
What a voice! Eileen Mager's voice is whatever she wishes it to be ... early English, classical Italian, festival German, or seductive French. The range of her voice is from a rich deep contralto singing "Blues" by Ferre to an angelic soprano singing "Si Mes Vers Avaient Des Ailes" by Reynaldo Hahn. I was very impressed with her "Mister Giorgina" by Ferre.
Ellen Brown is a sought-after accompanist in all of Phoenix ... this CD displays the reason. She feels the music with the soloist.
I am looking forward to Eileen Mager's other CDs, "Christmas Treasures," "Vivaldi a Due Voce," and "Broadway: Love & Laughter," and I highly recommend to all who love an absolutely beautiful voice in their entertainment room this CD of "Classic French Songs."
What a fabulous CD!.......2001-09-04
Because it's so interesting, and has such an incredible breadth of repertoire and expression--from the mischievous and boisterous "Paris Canaille" to the sweet, delicate and operatic "Le Bonheur Est Chose Legere"; and from the out-and-out coquettish fun of Satie's "La Diva De 'L'Empire'" to the dreamy joy of Duparc's "L'Invitation Au Voyage" to the anguish of Brel's "Ne Me Quitte Pas." I especially enjoyed hearing, in addition to Joseph Kosma and Jacques Prevert's "Les Feuilles Mortes" ("Autumn Leaves"), another song by the same composer and lyricist that is completely unfamiliar to American listeners, the deeply moving World War II remembrance called "Barbara."
Because it's gorgeous. Eileen Mager's voice has great purity and clarity of tone, effortless delivery. Her French diction is so clean that my five-year-old son can (and does) easily pick up and repeat even the French that goes at rapid-fire speed. She uses a broad palette of vocal colors; and her range extends from the lyric coloratura soprano to the bluesy alto. Ms. Mager and her excellent accompanist, Ellen Brown, work together as one; and Ms. Brown, who is also an arranger and who accompanied her on their earlier CD, "Christmas Treausures," adds a special touch of her own to the songs.
The accompanying CD booklet contains translations of all the songs (done by the singer herself, with the able help and counsel of French poet/librettist/teacher Michel Sarda), so listeners who don't speak French will be able to enjoy the recording as much as those who do.
One parting comment: Many singers dabble in genres other than their home genre, calling it "crossover." Unfortunately, many don't sound right in genres other than their own. But Ms. Mager is so comfortable and "right" in the various genres on this CD that it would be difficult to decide which her "home" genre actually is.
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Classic French Movie Songs: The Thirties
Various Artists Manufacturer: Soundtrack Factory ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004T25F Release Date: 2000-07-18 |
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500 Classic Masterpieces
Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00008FZWM Release Date: 1992-11-04 |
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La Voix des Anges: Nos Noels Traditionnels
Robert Marien Manufacturer: Les Productions Riche Lieu ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000M72MPM |
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Classic French Movie Songs: The Forties
Various Artists Manufacturer: Soundtrack Factory ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Similar Items:
ASIN: B00004T25E Release Date: 2004-04-05 |
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Patou: Mon Premier Noel
Patou Manufacturer: Disques MPV Inc. ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000MMIAU8 |
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Classic French Songs
Manufacturer: Eroica Classical Recordings ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000C0UFS Release Date: 2003-08-12 |
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Album Description
This collection of French songs, which has received praise from the legendary French entertainment figure Jean-Christophe Averty on his "France-Culture" radio show, includes songs from as far back as 1800 to the 1950s, many of them real rarities. The recording is perfect for lovers of great songs, whether or not those lovers happen to be French speakers (the booklet includes translations of all the songs). The songs include some old favorites -- such as Plaisir d'Amour, Ne Me Quitte Pas, and Les F euilles Mortes ("Autumn Leaves") -- and many which are virtually never heard in the U.S. -- such as Barbara, Celui Qui Meurt d'Aimer, and Paris Canaille. They are sung beautifully in the original French by Eileen Mager, whose voice is gorgeous and versatile, and whose expressiveness is truly special.Pianist/keyboardist/arranger Ellen Brown, who also accompanied her on her "Christmas Treasures" and her "Broadway: Love & Laughter" albums, accompanies on this recording with her usual superb style and sensitivity.
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Confiture de Rupture
CJM Cris Jo Mirale Manufacturer: CJM ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000CA8HNA Release Date: 2005-01-04 |
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21 Succes
Le Show Manufacturer: Ddm ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000M92UXY Release Date: 2007-01-08 |
Product Description
2001 Canadian release that contains 21 of the greatest hits of the years 1978-1986 from French-Canadian pop group Le Show.
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Chante Noel
Claude Barzotti Manufacturer: PGC Musique ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B000MFG8BS |
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