[.ca] Songs Of Chausson Hyperion Fr

From Amazon.co.uk:
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 together 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 which 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 marvellous set is overwhelmingly it. --Keith Clarke

Fascinating rep, rancid singing:
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.

a spectacular record:
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!!!

• Les papillons Op. 2 No. 3
• La derniere feuille Op. 2 No. 4
• La charme Op. 2 No. 2
• Serenade italienne op. 2 No. 5
• Hebe Op. 2 No. 6
• Le rideau de ma voisine sn 7
• L'albatros sn 10
• La nuit Op. 11 No. 1
• Serenade Op. 13 No. 2
• Le reveil Op. 11 no. 2
• Nous mous aimerons sn 19
• Chanson sn 2
• L:'ame de bois sn 3
• Le temps de lilas
• Printemps triste Op. 8 No. 3
• Nocturne Op. 8 No. 1
• Nos Souvenirs Op. 8 No. 4
• Amour d'antan Op. 8 No. 2
• La cigale Op 13 No. 4
• Nanny Op 2 No. 1
• Le colibri op. 2 No. 7
• La caravane Op. 14
• L'aveu Op. 13 No. 3
• Les morts Op. 17 No. 1
• La Pluie Op. 17 No. 2
• Apaisement Op. 13 No. 1
• Serres chaudes Op. 24
• Trois lieder de Camille Mauclair
• Marines devots a la Vierge Marie (Ballade francaise)
• Dans la foret de charme et de l'enchantement Op. 36 No. 2
• Deux Poemes de Verlaine Op. 34
• Trois Chansons de Shakespeare Op. 28
• Cantique a l'epose Op. 36 No. 1
• Chanson perpetulle Op. 37