COMPOSERS: Enescu/Roussel/Debussy
LABELS: Unicorn-Kanchana Souvenir
WORKS: Chanson de Bilitis; Jazz dans le nuit; Fetes galantes
PERFORMER: Sarah Walker (mezzo-soprano); Roger Vignoles (piano);
CATALOGUE NO: UKCD 2078 DDD (1984)
These three exponents of French song offer striking contrasts in approach to the medium. While the Romanian Enescu cultivates the refined sound-world of his teacher Fauré, Roussel explores a more acerbic emotional world in marvellous songs like ‘Jazz dans le nuit’. Towering above these two masters, Debussy manages to encompass both austerity (Fêtes galantes) and sensuality (Chansons de Bilitis). Sarah Walker and her admirable accompanist fare particularly well in the Enescu, but don’t quite convey the wide range of colours that are necessary for Debussy. Nonetheless, despite the slight caveat that the engineers leave insufficient time between some songs, the recital as a whole makes for absorbing listening. Erik Levi
Enescu/Roussel/Debussy
These three exponents of French song offer striking contrasts in approach to the medium. While the Romanian Enescu cultivates the refined sound-world of his teacher Fauré, Roussel explores a more acerbic emotional world in marvellous songs like ‘Jazz dans le nuit’. Towering above these two masters, Debussy manages to encompass both austerity (Fêtes galantes) and sensuality (Chansons de Bilitis). Sarah Walker and her admirable accompanist fare particularly well in the Enescu, but don’t quite convey the wide range of colours that are necessary for Debussy.
Our rating
4
Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:06 pm
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