Deux [Import]

Product Description
French Female Romantic and Melancholic Pop Singer.

Deux,Enzo Enzo,RCA,World Music

Average customer rating: Tchaikovsky and Tchai Teatime...or otherwise. Tchaikovsky's Dreamier Music: A Soothing Album Beautiful Tchaikovsky's Most Enchanting Tunes

Tchaikovsky At Tea Time: A Refreshing Blend For Body And Spirit Manufacturer: Philips ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Divertimentos | Serenades & Divertimentos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Piano | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Cello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Similar Items: Beethoven for Book Lovers: An Intimate Companion for Reading Bach for Breakfast Chopin and Champagne: Set Your Mood for Romance Debussy for Daydreaming: Music to Caress Your Innermost Thoughts Mozart for Morning Coffee: Freshly Brewed to Perk Up Your Day ASIN: B0000041FC Release Date: 1996-06-11

Tracks:

1. String Quartet No. 1 In D: Andante Cantabile
2. Swan Lake: Odette And The Prince (Act II)
3. Piano Concerto No. 1 In B-Flat Minor: Andantino
4. Swan Lake: Pas de deux (Act III)
5. The Sleeping Beauty: Panorama (Act II)
6. Violin Concerto In D: Canzonetta (Andante)
7. The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Dance Of The Sugar Plum Fairy
8. The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Coffee Dance
9. The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Tea Dance
10. The Nutcracker Suit (Selections): Dance Of The Reed-pipes
11. Rococco Variations: Final variation
12. Piano Trio In A Minor: Andante con moto
13. Piano Trio In A Minor: Variation I. L'istesso tempo
14. Piano Trio In A Minor: Variation IX. Andante flebile, ma non tanto
15. Piano Trio In A Minor: Variation XI. Moderato
16. The Sleeping Beauty: Vision Of Aurora
17. Serenade For Strings In C: Elegie: Larghtto elegiaco

Customer Reviews:

Tchaikovsky and Tchai.......2006-07-17

I wondered what do Tchaikovsky and Tea have in common, and then I remembered that in many countries across the world - the word for tea is "tchai". That aside, yes, this is a refreshing blend of music, perfect for tea time - relaxing and reviving at the same time, and quite a bit dreamy.

Teatime...or otherwise........2005-11-02

I've owned this for years & play it often. It IS perfect for teatime, as it makes pleasant background music which you can talk over....but is also great w/volume up in car w/it's rambunctious side and incredible instrumentation. A really nice blend of Tchaikovsky's pieces.

Tchaikovsky's Dreamier Music: A Soothing Album.......2005-07-31

"Set your Life to Classical Music" is a fine album series that feature beautiful classical music for background music of any occasion- weddings, barbecues, breakfast, beauty sleep, bathtime, reading a book, romantic dinner, massages you name it. And indeed many classical pieces are perfectly therapeutic sessions in themselves. This album features the more intimate-sounding, soulful, sweet and relaxing tunes of Tchaikovsky. He did compose heavier and more dramatically intense music- his later symphonies, his Overtures and operas. But here we hear no Russian fire or harshness. Instead we are treated to the charming Mozartian style works of the Roccoco Variations and the Piano Trios. The disc also features the Andantino from his Piano Concerto No. 1 - and that piece is almost a Chopin Nocturne, with beautiful soft rubato and dream-like qualities. Included here is also the Pas De Deux and Odette and Siegfried theme from his ballet Swan Lake, lilting and graceful as the dancers movements themselves. The dance divertissements from Nutcracker round out the ballet segments with charming allure. The melancholy String Quartet and Serenade For Strings is here as well and not to mention the beautiful, wistful excerpts from the ballet Sleeping Beauty, his greatest ballet. The Panorama and Vision of Aurora played with delicate strings and sublime technicality. This is indeed a "refreshing blend for body and spirit" and is in fact perfect to listen to while drinking tea cosnidering you drink tea. I have tried it and believe me the experience is very soothing and refreshing. Try putting this on in your miniature CD player with headphones, then go out into an outdoor, natural environment, a park or a backyard garden or patio, and drink tea or read a book and you will find this is a fine companion.

Beautiful.......2003-08-25

One of the best aspects of Tchiakovsky's music is the ocnsistency: he just DIDN'T compose any bad pieces. And with such consistency, you can compile a CD such as this.
THis CD gives you a proper taste of Tchaikovsky's style, and is a very nice sampler of some of his most famous works. This CD lacks some of his more energetically volatile works, but it thus lives up to its title. It is extremely relaxing, and soothes you as you listen to it. The works are melodic, and the orchestras and soloists are superb, especially in the Serenade and the Rococco Variations. I highly recommend this CD for anyone, even if you aren't a huge classical music fan.

Tchaikovsky's Most Enchanting Tunes.......2000-08-19

Like the title suggest, a good companion for tea time. Or any time. The music of Peter Ilych Tchaikovsky is beautiful, lyrical and full of a grace and charm that parallels to Mozart's. A great collection of music by the legendary Russian composer. He had a gift for making music in a style that did not sway away from Russian folk music but that added a Classical perfection, or better yet a Romantic mastership. Who can forget the Sleeping Beauty suite. Here is the Panorama scene.. gorgeous music. I recommend the entire ballet score. The Nutcraker and Swan Lake are also here. The Piano concerto no. 1 in B, Andante Cantibile and so much more. I garauntee any listener satisfaction.

Average customer rating: Coppelia A full-length Coppelia at an appealing price Inspired ballet music at a bargain price. Superb Performance

Delibes: Coppélia (complete in three acts) / La Source (suites) Manufacturer: Naxos ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music General | Delibes, Léo | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Similar Items: Coppelia The Australian Ballet - Coppelia Adolphe Adam: Music from 'Giselle' Prokofiev: Cinderella, Op. 87; Glazunov: Seasons Op67 Delibes - Coppelia / Kirov, Vinogradov, Tarasova ASIN: B00000147M Release Date: 1996-01-23

Tracks:

1. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Prde
2. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Valse
3. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Sc
4. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Mazurka
5. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Sc
6. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Ballade
7. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Th slave varl
8. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Czarda-Danse hongroise
9. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Sortie
10. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act I: Final
11. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Entr'acte
12. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
13. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
14. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Musique des automates
15. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
16. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
17. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Chanson oire et Sc
18. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
19. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Valse de la poup
20. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc
21. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Bol
22. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Gigue
23. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act II: Sc

Tracks:

1. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Marche de la cloche - F del la cloche - Divertissement
2. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Valse des heures
3. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: L'aurore
4. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Coppa, Act 3: 4: La pri
5. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Le travail
6. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: L'Hymen (Noce villageoise)
7. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: La discorde et la guerre
8. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: La paix (Pas de deux)
9. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Variation
10. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Danse de f
11. Coppa, Ballet In 3 Acts: Act III: Galop final
12. La Source, Suite No. 2: Sc dans
13. La Source, Suite No. 2: Scherzo Polka
14. La Source, Suite No. 2: Pas de la Guzla
15. La Source, Suite No. 2: Marche danset Final
16. La Source: Intermezzo (Pas des Fleurs, Grande Valse)
17. La Source, Suite No. 3: Incantation
18. La Source, Suite No. 3: Romance
19. La Source, Suite No. 3: Introduction et Mazurka
20. La Source, Suite No. 3: Finale

Customer Reviews:

Coppelia.......2007-07-27

I ordered two DVD versions of Coppelia along with this CD in order to learn the choreography from the ballet. My only complaint about this CD is that the music is considerably faster than either of the orchestras have played the score on the DVDs. This makes it difficult to learn the choreography with out slowing down the CD on a variable speed CD player.

A full-length Coppelia at an appealing price.......2003-06-26

Andrew Mogrelia has conducted a number of full-length ballets for Naxos: Giselle, Sylvia, Sleeping Beauty, and this Coppelia. I own all of them, because I find Mogrelia is one of those rare conductors who make a ballet sound like a ballet.
In concert hall versions, conductors often make ballet music impossibly fast, or simply too unpredictable. (Gergiev's Nutcracker is in this category: fun to listen to, definitely NOT a dancer's Nutcracker.) But when dancers are on stage, they need a regular, dependable beat to dance to. Mogrelia's Coppelia never sounds sing-song, because he uses dynamics so skillfully - but he does conduct at an authentic dance tempo.
Another Coppelia I like and own is Mark Ermler's (ASIN: B0000024CL), but while it's much more than highlights it is not the full ballet. The first act mazurka is missing, and that's a definite loss.
La Source is a bit of an oddity because it was originally commissioned as a sort of competition: half composed by Minkus, half by Delibes. Delibes was generally considered the winner, so he stayed in Paris while Minkus went off to Russia. This album is strictly Delibes, so it's only highlights from La Source. But it does include my favorite, the utterly charming Pas des Fleurs, Grande Valse.

Inspired ballet music at a bargain price........2002-07-13

Although I'm not particularly fond of watching ballets I have a special love for ballet music, and Coppelia is one of my favorites. It is the masterpiece of Leo Delibes who was one of the greatest of ballet composers. Even Tchaikovsky -- probably the greatest ballet composer of all -- greatly admired Delibes' work. This recording presents not only the complete music for Coppelia but also the lovely, but seldom-heard, music Delibes wrote for La Source -- both conducted by the excellent ballet conductor Andrew Mogrelia. And at a bargain price to boot. Please don't pass up this special treasure.

Superb Performance.......2000-08-27

I search for the recording for the complete Coppelia when my daughter's dance school was practicing for it. I found this item. Performance was meticulous. It was recorded in the Orchestra's concert hall over a period of almost two weeks. All digital recording. Well balanced orchestra. Fine details. A good item to collect.

Average customer rating: J'ai Trois Amours First Class ! J'ai Deux Amours Dee Dee and the Fab French Quartet -- live! A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN LEAVE FOR YOUR EARS

J'ai Deux Amours Dee Dee Bridgewater Manufacturer: Sovereign Artists ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Jazz | Styles | Music Vocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dear Ella Live at Yoshi's This Is New Good Night, And Good Luck Blueprint of a Lady: Sketches of Billie Holiday ASIN: B000AE8FT4 Release Date: 2005-09-13

Tracks:

1. J'ai Deux Amours
2. La Mer (Beyond The Sea)
3. Ne Me Quitte Pas
4. Mon Homme (My Man)
5. Et Maintenant
6. Que Reste-T-Il De Nos Amours
7. Dansez Sur Moi (Girl Talk)
8. La Belle Vie (The Good Life)
9. Avec Le Temps
10. La Vie En Rose
11. Les Feuilles Mortes

Product Description

1. J’ai Deux Amours
2. La Mer (Beyond the Sea)
3. Ne Me Quitte Pas
4. Mon Homme (My Man)
5. Et Maintenant
6. Que Reste-t-Il de Nos Amours
7. Dansez Sur Moi (Girl Talk)
8. La Belle Vie (The Good Life)
9. Avec le Temps
10. La Vie en Rose
11. Les Feuilles Mortes

Format: CD

Customer Reviews:

J'ai Trois Amours .......2006-08-16

A dear friend of mine, and a jazz "connoisseur" introduced me to this great lady of jazz.

Then I was lucky enough, to see her live in concert, touring Europe for "J'ai deux amours", in Konzerthaus in Vienna, on March 2006. Needless to say, that it was a unique experience and I fell in love with her music.

I strongly recommend anyone with an interes in jazz vocals to get this album but most importantly, if you can, see her live.

I don't exagerate if I say that she might be the best vocal jazz of today.

First Class !.......2006-08-06

I saw Dee Dee Bridgewater for the first time at the Montreal Jazz Festival this past July. Her talent, energy, and her apparent love for what she does were most evident. This CD reflects all of these attributes. Her musicians are exceptional, as are the French versions of familiar standards. I highly recommend !

J'ai Deux Amours.......2006-06-27

Dee Dee"s singing is very playful on this album. She is quite accomplished and comfortable with the French language. The minimal use of instruments is so pleasurable...lots of accordian....used as a jazz instrument ! There is a wonderful feeling of spontaneity on this CD.
Her fur coat modeling on the cover is unfortunately... rather Gauche.
But I can hardly think of anyone having so much fun with the music .Of course Europeans support American Jazz more than Americans...And the French seem to love DeeDee,....on this recording she loves them right back.!

Dee Dee and the Fab French Quartet -- live!.......2006-04-20

Following is a review of Dee Dee Bridgewater's 4/15/06 performance at the Jazz Showcase in Chicago performing several tunes from this album. Needless to say, we bought it the next day!

***********

Where do I begin...?

Vocalists are unfortunately a rarity at Chicago's Jazz Showcase, so we weren't about to miss this golden opportunity to hear Dee Dee Bridgewater in this intimate (and smoke free!) club setting. She was appearing with the "Fab French Quartet" in support of her Grammy-nominated album of French songs, J'ai Deux Amours. Little did we know that this would be a memorable evening in many different ways...

First of all, Joe Segal, the club's soon-to-be 80-year-old impresario, informed us that the first set would be starting a little late because Ms. Bridgewater fell down a stairway at her hotel earlier that evening, spraining her ankle. He assured us that she'd arrive on stage "as soon as the pain pills kick in."

He then acknowledged the presence of Liza Minnelli in the audience -- yes, Liza Minnelli! We never actually saw her, but I still can't believe I was in the same room as Liza Minnelli...!

When Dee Dee Bridgewater eventually took the stage (with a bit of a limp), she was wearing a stunning lime-green silk shawl -- which she promptly removed to reveal an even more stunning black dress. She thanked us for our patience, remarking how troubling it was to have fallen on the stairs at the hotel while people just hurried past her without even offering to help... "We got problems, people..." Indeed.

It turned out that she was not only suffering from a sprained ankle, but also battling bronchitis -- and while she occasionally coughed off-mic, her voice (and spunky attitude) was otherwise unaffected. Her ankle injury didn't keep her seated on her stool for very long, either -- soon, she was not only standing, but gesturing and dancing energetically as she sang.

Dee Dee and her "Fab Frenchmen" presented a refreshingly original set of mostly well-known French songs in unique and striking arrangements. The accordion player was particularly stunning, also serving as pianist, string section, and then some for the group. The bass player provided a firm anchor as the guitarist employed several tasteful Bill Frisell-ish effects throughout, and the percussionist used a large and varied set of drums to keep everything grooving.

Above all, though, it was Dee Dee Bridgewater's robust voice and irresistible charisma that carried the night. Among the tunes were the Bobby Darin staple "Beyond The Sea" re-imagined as the churning, bubbling "La Mer," "Mon Homme/My Man" which effectively alternated between despairing and jubilant moods (and between French and English lyrics, like many of these songs did), and "Danser Sur Moi" -- a kickin' take on "Girl Talk" that culminated in a rollicking, R-Rated, and hilarious "freestyle rap!"

Overall, Dee Dee was "working the crowd" like nobody I've ever seen, and by the end of the set she owned the room and everyone in it (especially one gentleman who was invited on stage to give her a hug at one point...)

After a riotous standing ovation, Dee Dee acknowledged the audience's warm reception (as well as the presence of Liza Minnelli, of course,) and as an expression of heartfelt gratitude, she sang "Amazing Grace" as an encore... a cappella, no less.

And that was just the first set...! But, unusually, a large crowd had already gathered in the Jazz Showcase lobby for the 11:00pm show, so we weren't permitted to stay for the duration (without paying another $40 cover charge per person.) Regardless, we could hardly ask for anything more at this point. It had been a truly memorable, electrifying performance in every way -- and I'm sure even Liza would agree!

A BEAUTIFUL AUTUMN LEAVE FOR YOUR EARS.......2006-04-15

WE ARE LUCKY AGAIN ! WE CAN FIND IN THIS CD ANOTHER WONDERFUL VERSION OF THE INCREDIBLE SONG CALLED "Les Feuilles Mortes",a.k.a "Autumn Leaves" BY A JAZZ MUSICIAN ,IN THIS CASE A GREAT SINGER CALLED : Dee Dee Bridgewater !!!
It is very rare to find a GEM like this one in our troubled and confused times , so there it is !
She is American but she manages very well in French language...(Like Nat King Cole did !)

By the way, This Version of the Original is a Complete One ! (Composer: Joseph Kosma & Lyrics: Jacques Prevert).

? TO THE HAPPY FEW ...? of 2006

Average customer rating: Long lost friend Crespin rules still! CRESPIN Berlioz Truly, some of the finest singing one will ever hear!

Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; et al / Crespin, Ansermet Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD All Works by Berlioz | Berlioz, Hector | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: The Very Best of Régine Crespin Great Recordings Of The Century - Elisabeth Schwarzkopf Sings Operetta / Ackermann Anne Sofie von Otter - Grieg Songs Italian Opera Arias Russian Album ASIN: B00000JXZ4 Release Date: 1999-08-10

Tracks:

1. Les Nuits D'ete: Villanelle
2. Les Nuits D'ete: Le Spectre De La Rose
3. Les Nuits D'ete: Absence
4. Les Nuits D'ete: Sur les lagunes
5. Les Nuits D'ete: Au Cimetiere
6. Les Nuits D'ete: L'Ile Inconnue
7. Sheherazade: Asie
8. Sheherazade: La Flute enchantee
9. Sheherazade: L'Indiffirent
10. Trois Chansons De Bilitis: La Flute De Pan
11. Trois Chansons De Bilitis: La Chevelure
12. Trois Chansons De Bilitis: Le Tombeau Des Naiades
13. From Banalites FP: Chanson D'Orkenise
14. From Banalites FP: Hotel
15. From La Courte Paille FP: Le Carafon
16. From La Courte Paille FP: La Reine De Coeur
17. From Chansons Villageoises FP: Les Gars qQui Vont A La Fete
18. Deux Poemes de Louis Aragon: 'C'
19. Fetes Galantes

Amazon.com

Here is a great French artist singing the songs of her native country in her native language, with the natural inflection and empathy of one to the manner born. Her voice is beautiful, pure throughout a huge range, focused, intense, infinitely nuanced; she can make it float ethereally or glow with a shimmering radiance, brighten and darken it and carry on two-way conversations. Identifying complete with each song, she communicates its mood, atmosphere, character, expression. She captures the pensive dreaminess, plaintive yearning, outpouring of grief and lamentation, as well as the gaiety and lighthearted teasing of Berlioz' many-faceted Les Nuits d'Été. In Ravel's Shéhérazade, her voice becomes part of the exotic, languidly oriental atmosphere created by the lush, sensuous, glittering orchestration, surging up with the sweeping buildups to thrilling climactic high Gs and B-flats, matching the tremulous flute solo in the second song. The orchestra plays wonderfully, exploiting Ravel's infinitely imaginative, vivid coloration to the utmost. Crespin evokes the secretive intimacy, dream-drugged passion and ice-bound rigidity of Debussy's Songs of Bilitis. In the Poulenc songs, the contrast between the almost tear-choked mournfulness and the frolicking humor is riveting. John Wustman's splendid partnering adds greatly to the enchantment of this delightful recording. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews:

Long lost friend.......2007-01-27

I bought the vinyl LP of this way back in the 1960s, and since then it has been loved almost to death -- scratches, pops, jumps...

What a delight to find it rejuvenated on CD. Regine Crespin's is surely the definitive performance.

Crespin rules still!.......2007-01-11

Régine Crespin's recording of Berlioz's Les Nuits d'été is quite simply still - after forty-plus years - the finest I've ever heard, and that includes some fifteen different recordings. Add her immaculately clear enunciation of the verbal text to the gorgeous vocal qualities of those long-held vowels, and her fantastically acute articulation and phrasing of Berlioz's musical re-imagining of Gautier poems, coupled with deeply sensitive accompaniment by Ernest Ansermet and his Suisse Romande orchestra, and we really have no need for other recordings (not that I don't welcome them, as long as they don't make Mme Crespin's go out of print). This, as Gramophone magazine recognized upon original release, is one of the really great triumphs of musical recordings, an immediate and lasting classic. You owe it to yourself to get to know this recording. The Ravel Shérézade, while a lesser composition, is of comparable performance and recording quality.

CRESPIN.......2006-11-20

I am fortunate, indeed, to have seen and heard Regine Crespin perform two of her most famous roles at the Metropolitan Opera. One was the title role in "Carmen" and, although perhaps too mature for the role, her acting was as strong as her singing...and her singing was magnificent. This was a Carmen to be reckoned with. The other role was even more impressive: The Mother Superior in Poulenc's "Dialogues of the Carmelites." First I saw her perform it in English and then at another performance in French. Her death scene was one of the most harrowing I've ever experienced on any stage. This recording will introduce everyone to the beauty, subtlety, charm and fine interpretations of Madame Crespin. And the Berlioz' "Les Nuits D'ete" is arguably the best available.

Berlioz.......2004-04-30

Regine Crespin is so clear, so subtle, you are drawn into the music and listen from within.

I recommend everything she has ever done.... many a titles but most especially "La Spectre de la Rose", which is the absolute killer.

Truly, some of the finest singing one will ever hear!.......2004-03-04

Many might argue with my view of Berlioz' "Les Nuit d'Ete." I've never warmed to the piece in the past and even Crespin's voice cannot change my mind on the matter. I can only revel in her stunningly perfect singing which is truly a pleasure. Immediately following, however, is Ravel's "Scheherazade" and it is for this striking cycle that this CD is invaluable. Crespin presents each of these three songs with effortless legato, lovely piannissimi, dramatic dynamics and endless colors. I now listen to this performance wherever I can: at home, in my car and with anyone who will take the time to enjoy it with me. At the same time, I would not want to give up my recording by another great soprano Victoria de los Angeles. The latter, while not as vocally perfect, provides an even greater degree of verbal expressiveness and variety. Even so, Crespin's performance provides different and equal rewards. Fortunately, I can have both discs in my collection. I warmly recommend them to yours.

Average customer rating: Lovely An unexpected glimpse of happiness. Enchanting recital of French Melodies Nuit d'toiles - Melodies Francaises/ Gens, Vignoles An Outstanding Vocal Performance

Véronique Gens - Nuit d'étoiles (Mélodies Française) / Vignoles Gabriel Fauré , Claude Debussy , Francis Poulenc , Véronique Gens , and Roger Vignoles Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Poulenc | Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music $9.99 and Under | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music All Classical Music Blowout | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Poulenc, Francis | ( P ) | Composers, A-Z | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Opera & Vocal | Classical Music Blowout | Stores | Music Similar Items: Véronique Gens ~ Berlioz - Les Nuits d'été · La mort de Cléopatre Reneé Fleming & Jean-Yves Thibaudet - Night Songs (Fauré, Debussy, Marx, Strauss, Rachmaninov) Tragédiennes Forgotten Songs: Dawn Upshaw Sings Debussy Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin ASIN: B00003ZKR9 Release Date: 2000-04-11

Tracks:

1. Apres un reve, Op. 7 No. 1
2. Sylvie, Op. 7 No. 3
3. Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8 No. 1
4. Lydia, Op. 4 No. 2
5. Le papillon et la fleur, Op. 1 No.1
6. Mandoline, Op. 58 No. 1: 5 Melodies de Venise
7. Clair de lune, Op. 46, No. 2
8. Les berceaux, Op. 23 No. 1
9. 3 Chansons de Bilitis: I. La flute de Pan
10. 3 Chansons de Bilitis: II. La chevelure
11. 3 Chansons de Bilitis: III. Le tombeau des Naiades
12. Fetes galantes: I. En sourdine
13. Fetes galantes: II. Fantoches
14. Fetes galantes: III. Clair de lune
15. Nuit d'etoiles
16. Beau soir
17. Fleur des bles
18. La Belle au bois dormant
19. Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison
20. BANALITES: I. Chanson d'Orkenise
21. BANALITES: II. Hotel
22. BANALITES: III. Fagnes de Wallonie
23. BANALITES: IV. Voyage a Paris
24. BANALITES: V. Sanglots
25. 2 Melodies de Guillaume Apollinaire: I. Montparnasse
26. 2 Melodies de Guillaume Apollinaire: II. Hyde Park
27. Les chemins de l'amour - valse chantee

Customer Reviews:

Lovely.......2005-08-30

I recommend this to any art-song lover, and really, anybody at all. Gens does an excellent performance of a great collection of beautiful French songs. Her voice is enjoyable all the way, she has great expression, and a convincing mastery of the genre.

An unexpected glimpse of happiness........2001-07-21

Stendhal wrote that "the sight of anything extremely beautiful, in nature or in art, brings back the memory of what one loves, with the speed of lightning. That is, ... all that is beautiful and sublime in the world takes part in the beauty of what one loves, and this unexpected glimpse of happiness immediately fills the eyes with tears. This is how love of the beautiful and love give each other life." This is what Ms. Gens will do to you when you listen to this CD.

Enchanting recital of French Melodies.......2000-07-07

This is a most enjoyable release, all the more so because Veronique Gens, who is generally considered a baroque specialist on the lyric stage, may well be a torch-bearer of the elusive art of the French song in the coming decades. The voice of Gens, which is solid and well-integrated with an alluring dash of vibrancy embedded therein, is eminently suited to the repertoire represented in this new Virgin Classics release. Her secure technique (just a hint of strain in one or two high notes) also renders it possible for her to fine down her voice in the ending of phrases to a charming effect. Being a native French speaker certainly helps, too. Although hers is perhaps not the most strongly-etched of readings, she is able to inflect the text intelligently, and her subtle but heart-felt stresses on particular words not only serve to illuminate the poetic prose, but also meld beautifully with the notes that she sing.

The CD opens with songs by Faure, and while Gens may not possess the charm and naturalness of utterance of Maggie Teyte, whose recordings of Faure's songs are, in the opinion of this reviewer, unsurpassable, she can conjure up the right kind of feeling for every song as no one can. Her tempo for the popular "Apres un reve" is a trifle too laid back. Yet, she conveys to perfection the dream-like quality of the song, as well as the sense of confusion and regret at awakening. Her singing of "Le papillon et la fleur" is delightfully vivid, and her evocation of the feeling of sadness being kept in restraint in "Les berceaux" makes the performance both intimate and touching.

The Debussy group is no less impressive. Despite the innovative idiom in which most of these songs are composed, Gens is able bring them off effortlessly and stylishly. She is in total command whether in the serenity of "Beau soir", the romanticism of "Nuit d'etoiles", the rustic charm of "Fleur des bles", or the harrowing grimness of "Noel des enfants qui n'ont plus de maison", the last one composed when Debussy was being haunted by the atrocities of the Great War. In "Fetes galantes I", although the vocal and piano parts are often independent of each other, Gens's remarkable interpretation succeeds in unifying the two strands into a picturesque and colourful whole. The "3 Chansons de Bilitis", which are composed very much in the style of PELLEAS ET MELISANDE, also find an ideal interpreter in Gens where, blessed with a keen sense of rhythm, she succeeds in propelling the texts forward with musical grace and dramatic import. She would surely make a wonderful Melisande.

The Poulenc is equally fine. The young soprano is able to do full justice to the diverse moods in "Banalites", which, according to Olivier Opdebeeck, who penned the CD notes, is composed in a "part-melancholy, part-joyful tone with a barb of irony which the composer identified in the poet". The "2 Melodies de Guillaume Apollinaire" are sharply contrasted, one (Montparnasse) languid and brooding and the other (Hyde Park) gusty and piquant. Gens's singing of "Les chemins de l'amour", a cross between a Viennese waltz and a cabaret song, is loveliness itself and provides a delicious end to an enchanting recital.

The major reservation that this reviewer has involves the accompaniment of Roger Vignoles. While he is able to provide secure support for the singer, his playing is uncharacterful and even bland. Besides, the piano tone seems to be rather thin at times. Nonetheless, this should not detract one from the sensuous beauty of Gens's performance. This reviewer hopes that Virgin Classics would be encouraged by the success of this release so that they can present this most promising singer in further volumes of French songs by, say, Chausson, Ravel and Duparc.

Nuit d'toiles - Melodies Francaises/ Gens, Vignoles.......2000-06-13

Not being a professional, but loving the genre of French melodies I'll avoid technical commentary; I have become a collector of these in recent years and find this one extremely satifying and appreciate the variety this CD presents.

An Outstanding Vocal Performance.......2000-05-01

This ranks as one of the very best recordings of French 'melodies' that I have yet heard. Unlike most other singers, Gens gives the words drama and meaning. Too many singers perform these works in a detached 'artistic' manner that often makes them all sound almost alike. I say this not to belittle Gens' voice (which is superb), but to indicate that this disk will take you beyond the 'standard' interpretations of these works. I had a chance to compare one of the melodies with another recent recording by Schafer, another singer whom I respect Both were being featured in a local record store. It was hard to realize they were actually singing the same piece. I recently saw Gens perform much of the same program at a recital in NYC. This was the best recital I had heard in a very long time (I go to many). The disk is almost as good. It suffers a bit from a very unnatural recorded sound: the microphone is much too close to the singer and the piano is much too forward. Also the accompaniest in NYC was clearly better. Nevertheless, it would be hard to find a better recorded performance. The more I listen to the disk, the less I notice these drawbacks. The choice of repetoire is also well done. I particularly liked the Debussy 'Trois chansons de Bilitis.' She ends with 'Les chemins de l'amour' which Poulenc wrote for Jean Anouilh's play 'Leaocadia'. This has become very popular outside the normal recital circuit. If you get only one disk of French melodies, this is the one to get.

Average customer rating: Superb playing Thibaudet triumphs on this disc

Jean-Yves Thibaudet ~ Liszt - Opera Transcriptions ~ Wagner · Mozart · Donizetti · Verdi · Gounod · Tchaikovsky Franz Liszt , Gaetano Donizetti , Charles Gounod , Pyotr Il'yich Tchaikovsky , Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, Giuseppe Verdi Richard Wagner , Ferruccio Busoni , and Jean-Yves Thibaudet Manufacturer: Decca ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Busoni | Busoni, Ferruccio | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Liszt | Liszt, Franz | ( L ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart | Mozart, Wolfgang Amadeus | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wagner | Wagner, Richard | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Thibaudet, Jean-Yves | ( T ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music Similar Items: Aria: Opera without Words Reflections On Duke - Jean-Yves Thibaudet Plays The Music Of Duke Ellington Liszt: The Great Transcriptions Conversations with Bill Evans The Chopin I Love ASIN: B00000421C Release Date: 1994-01-18

Tracks:

1. Rigoletto: paraphrase de concert (Verdi)
2. Valse de concert sur deux motifs de Lucia et Parisina (Donizetti)
3. Valse de l'opera Faust (Gounod)
4. Polonaise From Eugene Onegin (Tchaikovsky)
5. Spinning Chorus From Der fliegende Hollander (Wagner)
6. Recitative And Romance From Tannhauser (Wagner)
7. Lohengrins Verweis An Elsa From Lohengrin (Wagner)
8. Schluss-Szene aus Tristan und Isolde - Isoldens Liebestod (Wagner)
9. Fantasie uber 2 Motive aus W.A. Mozarts Die Hochzeit des Figaro (erganzt von Ferruccio Busoni)

Customer Reviews:

Superb playing.......2006-12-27

This CD consists entirely of truly outstanding playing. In fact, these recordings are so good that even Horowitz himself (who rarely said positive things about other pianists) expressed admiration for them and for the power and technique which Thidaudet demonstrates. In fact, it is not just power and technique but also lyricism and a beautiful touch which Thibaudet brings to these pieces. Every note and phrase has been assiduously judged and weighted and these really are artistic performances, full of life with never a dull moment.

The pieces are all arrangements by Liszt of popular tunes from famous operas. Liszt wrote many such pieces and, of course it's a matter of opinion, but for my money Thibaudet has selected most of the best ones for this CD. Perhaps the least exciting one is the well-known Rigoletto paraphrase, a piece which has been done to death by so many pianists. I don't know if this is what takes the edge off it, perhaps it even took the edge off it for Thibaudet and so although his performance of this is very good, it is not inspirational like the other pieces.

The Spinning Chorus paraphrase is played superbly and with a great deal of charm and grace. Similarly, the Concert Waltz based on tunes from 2 operas by Donizetti is played with power and charm - brilliant octave and chordal playing throughout and in the exciting finale. The Polonaise from Eugene Onegin is also excellent - you'll be humming the tune to yourself for ages afterwards and listen out for the glittering passage work in the middle of this piece, Thibaudet makes the piano sparkle and sing.

The biggest feat of technique is in the notoriously difficult Figaro paraphrase. Here the music makes many demands of the pianist right from the word go yet when you hear Thibaudet playing it, it's hard to guess at how difficult the piece is so graceful and easy is his playing. There are a couple of minor clinkers towards the end in a fiendish passage but frankly that's neither here nor there. Particularly impressive (for the pianists among you) is his playing of the rapid contrary motion scales in thirds in both hands - such speed and accuracy and he even manages to inject some wit into it. A phenomenal performance.

The Faust waltz is great too. Listen out for the fun glissandos in the recapitulation of the second theme towards the end.

Finally, a word about the Liebestod from Tristan & Isolde. A very performance but the definitive performance of this is by Horowitz in his CD "The Last Recording".

A great CD, destined to become a classic recording. Thibaudet should be proud of this superb piece of work. If only other pianists took the same care to make their playing as polished and musical and imaginative.

Thibaudet triumphs on this disc.......2000-05-14

I fell in love with this CD upon my first hearing of it. First of all the transcriptions by Liszt are excellent. Secondly, the way Thibaudet plays them is just mind boggling. His pianissimos are incredibly controlled and moving, while his fortes are spectacularly powerful, bold, and commanding. The London recording catches all this detail with brilliant clarity. One example on this disc is the transcription of the Liebestod. You know it should be wonderful, but in the hands of this gifted pianist, the piano soars and aches the feelings of Isolde. It's like Lizst and Thibaudet bring out the whole of the orchestration on the piano. In the climax, I was amazed to hear the loud rumblings of the lower end of the keyboard while the soaring melody on the other end of the keyboard lifted me away. The transcription of Mozart is wonderful. It makes one wish that Mozart had lived and composed on into the Romantic Period. There are some wonderful transcriptions of Donizetti and Verdi as well. In the end, what I can say is this: Thibaudet has become a wonderful interpreter of Liszt. On this disc Thibaudet shows us the wonderful ability of Liszt and his own wonderful pianist abilities.

Average customer rating: Le parfum d'extase Superb chansoms. Superb Ameling. Buy It. Great!!! A delightful programme Limpid, refined, elegant music.

Fauré - Mélodies / Souzay · Ameling · Baldwin Gabriel Fauré , Gérard Souzay , Elly Ameling , and Dalton Baldwin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Fauré, Gabriel | ( F ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Baroque (c.1600-1750) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Vocal & Song | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Songs & Lieder | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Similar Items: Debussy - Mélodies / Ameling · Mesplé · Command · Souzay · von Stade · Baldwin Poulenc - Melodies / Ameling · Gedda · W. Parker · Sénéchal · Souzay · Baldwin Artistry of Elly Ameling (Coll) A French Song Companion The Songs of Henri Duparc ASIN: B000002S30 Release Date: 1992-01-23

Tracks:

1. Le papillon et la fleur: Le Papillon et la fleur, Op. 1, No. 1
2. Mai: Mai, Op. 1, No. 2
3. Reve d'amour: Reve d'amour, Op. 5, No. 2
4. Dans les ruines d'une abbaye: Dans les ruines d'une abbaye, Op. 2, No. 1
5. Les Matelots: Les Matelots, Op. 2, No. 2
6. Lydia: Lydia, Op. 4, No. 2
7. Hymne: Hymne, Op. 7, No. 2
8. Seule: Seule, Op. 3, No. 1
9. L'absent: L'Absent, Op. 5, No. 3
10. L'Aurore: L'Aurore, Op. posthume
11. La Rancon: La Rancon, Op. 8, No. 2
12. Chant d'automne: Chant d'automne, Op. 5, No. 2
13. Aubade: Aubade, Op. 6, No. 1
14. Tristesse: Tristesse, Op. 6, No. 2
15. Chanson du pecheur (Lamento): Chanson du pecheur (Lamento), Op. 5, No. 1
16. Barcarolle: Barcarolle, Op. 7, No. 3
17. 2 Duos pour deux sopranos: I Puisqu'ici-bas, Op. 10, No. 1
18. 2 Duos pour deux sopranos: II Tarentelle, Op. 10, No. 2
19. Ici-bas !: Ici-bas !, Op. 8, No. 3
20. Au bord de l'eau: Au bord de l'eau, Op. 8, No. 1
21. Serenade toscane: Serenade toscane, Op. 3, No. 2
22. Apres Un Reve: Apres un reve, Op. 7, No. 1
23. Sylvie: Sylvie, Op. 6, No. 3
24. Le Voyageur: Le Voyageur, Op. 18, No. 2
25. Automne, Op. 18, No. 3

Tracks:

1. Poemes d'un jour, Op. 21: 1. Rencontre
2. Poemes d'un jour, Op. 21: 2.Toujours
3. 3. Adieu
4. Nell, Op. 18, No. 1
5. Les berceaux: Les Berceaux, Op. 23, No. 1
6. Notre amour: Notre amour, Op. 23, No. 2
7. Le Secret: Le Secret, Op. 23, No. 3
8. Chanson d'amour: Chanson d'amour, Op. 27, No. 1
9. La Fee aux chansons: La Fee aux chansons, Op. 27, No. 1
10. Aurore: Aurore, Op. 39, No. 1
11. Fleur jetee: Fleur jetee, Op. 39, No. 2
12. Le Pays des reves: Le Pays des reves, Op. 39, No. 3
13. Les Roses d'lspahan: Les Roses d'lspahan, Op. 39, No. 4
14. Nocturne: Nocturne, Op. 43, No. 2
15. Les Presents: Les Presents, Op. 46, No. 1
16. Clair de Lune: Clair de lune, Op. 46, No. 2
17. Larmes: Larmes, Op. 51, No. 1
18. Au Cimetiere: Au Cimetiere, Op. 51, No. 2
19. 2 Cantiques: 1. En Priere
20. 2 Cantiques: 2. Noel, Op. 43, No. 1
21. SPLEEN: Spleen, Op. 51, No. 3
22. La Rose: La Rose, Op. 51, No. 4
23. Chanson de Shylock: Chanson de Shylock, Op. 57, No. 1
24. Madrigal de Shylock: Madrigal de Shylock, Op. 57, No. 2
25. 5 Melodies: 1. Mandoline
26. 5 Melodies: 2. En sourdine
27. 5 Melodies: 3. Green
28. 5 Melodies: 4. A Clymene
29. 5 Melodies: 5. C'est l'extase
30. Serenade du Bourgeois gentilhomme

Tracks:

1. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 1. Une Sainte en son aureole
2. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 2. Puisque l'aube grandit
3. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 3. La Lune blanche luit dans les bois
4. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 4. J'allais par des chemins perfides
5. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 5. J'ai presque peur, en verite
6. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 6. Avant que tu ne t'en ailles
7. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 7. Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d'ete
8. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 8. N'est-ce pas ?
9. La Bonne Chanson, Op. 61: 9. L'Hiver a cesse
10. Le Parfum imperissable: Le Parfum imperissable, Op. 76, No. 1
11. Arpege: Arpege, Op. 76, No. 2
12. Pleurs d'or, duo pour soprano et baryton: Pleurs d'or, duo pour soprano et baryton, Op. 72
13. Melisande's song: Melisande's song, Op. posthume
14. Prison: Prison, Op. 83, No. 1
15. Soir: Soir, Op. 83, No. 2
16. Dans la foret de septembre: Dans la foret de septembre, Op. 85, No. 1
17. La Fleur qui va sur l'eau: La Fleur qui va sur l'eau, Op. 85, No. 2
18. Accompagnement: Accompagnement, Op. 85, No. 3
19. Le plus doux Chemin (madrigal): Le plus doux Chemin (madrigal), Op. 87, No. 2
20. Le Ramier (madrigal): Le Ramier (madrigal), Op. 87, No. 2
21. Le Don silencieux: Le Don silencieux, Op. 92
22. Chanson: Chanson, Op. 94
23. Vocalise-etude

Tracks:

1. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 1. Paradis
2. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 2. Prima verba
3. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 3. Roses ardentes
4. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 4. Comme Dieu rayonne
5. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 5. L'aube blanche
6. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 6. Eau vivante
7. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 7. Veilles-tu, ma senteur de soleil ?
8. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 8. Dans un parfum de roses blanches
9. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 9. Crepuscule
10. La Chanson d'Eve, Op. 95: 10. O mort, poussiere d'etoiles
11. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 1. Exaucement
12. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 2. Quand tu plonges tes yeux dans mes yeux
13. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 3. La messagere
14. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 4. Je me poserai sur ton coeur
15. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 5. Dans la Nymphee
16. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 6. Dans la penombre
17. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 7. Il m'est cher, amour, le bandeau
18. Le Jardin clos, Op. 106: 8. Inscription sur le sable
19. Mirages, Op. 113: 1. Cygne sur l'eau
20. Mirages, Op. 113: 2. Reflets dans l'eau
21. Mirages, Op. 113: 3. Jardin nocturne
22. Mirages, Op. 113: 4. Danseuse
23. C'est la paix !: C'est la paix !, Op. 114
24. L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 1. La ber es infinie
25. L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 2. Je me suis embarque
26. L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 3. Diane Selene
27. L'Horizon chimerique, Op. 118: 4. Vaisseaux, nous vous aurons aimes

Customer Reviews:

Le parfum d'extase.......2007-05-18

This 4-CD set receives five stars from me in spite of some flaws. I'll outline those flaws first.

Firstly (a flaw to me, perhaps not to others), I'm not very fond of Gérard Souzay's voice and vocal approach. He frequently sounds blustery and the timbre does not really appeal to me. Yet his commitment to these beautiful songs is impeccable, and he has a wealth of experience, beautifully authentic French (of course!) and occasionally the singing is very effective indeed. I agree that the "La bonne chanson" set is sensitive and moving - it's Souzay at his best. But in general... Souzay is not one of my favourite baritones.

Secondly, as other reviews have mentioned, no translations are included. However, the full text of each song is contained in the accompanying booklet, and for those who don't read French well enough to translate, there are translations on-line of all of the poems set by Fauré. I agree this is not an ideal solution, and that the boxed set would have been improved by translations.

Thirdly, one is sometimes overwhelmed by the balance of the voice compared to that of the piano - this is particularly noticeable in Souzay's singing. However, the piano is still audible. The solution is mostly to turn down the volume for one or two tracks.

Let me now explain why, in spite of the above faults, I still consider this a superb set.

Firstly, the truly lovely singing of Elly Ameling. What a gloriously pretty sound - and I mean "pretty" without any denigration whatsoever. It's not JUST pretty - it's beautiful as well. This is a lovely gleaming sound, perfectly placed, and with a wealth of intrinsic and elegant interpretation that is native to Elly Ameling's singing. She's a miracle - no matter what she sings, it sounds "sung in" and perfectly understood, perfectly interpreted. (I admit Ms Ameling's French is slightly accented at times, but it's completely understandable and very good. It doesn't impair the performance of these songs at all.)

Secondly, Dalton Baldwin's playing is sensitive and impassioned in turns - always lyrical, always attuned to the requirements of each song. What a huge amount of work must have gone into this mammoth 4-CD task!

Thirdly, these vocal compositions are exquisite. Several of them are justly famous as works of genius, and fall so delightfully upon the ear that it seems they have always existed, perfect and full of wonder... that Fauré plucked them out of semi-existence to give them reality.

Fourthly... it's 4CDs of Fauré's vocal works. For those who love French vocal music, it's an extravagant delight to have such a thorough and wide-ranging collection. For singing students, how marvellous to have such a collection to hand to help when choosing songs. For fellow singers, what joy to have all of these songs in such a fine collection in order to note details and particularly admirable points.

In short - this is a set I wouldn't be without. While it's not flawless, it's full of delights. Ameling's singing of "La rose" is one of the highlights, and Fauré's three exquisite duets are all represented here. Highly recommended.

Superb chansoms. Superb Ameling. Buy It........2007-03-01

This EMI Classics package of four CD's for the price of two (plus) is really the way I like to buy classic recordings, where the complete set covers all of a single especially interesting grouping of works. This set, like the comparable one on Debussy, is simply grand, especially, as noted by other reviewers, with the contribution of Ameling, a soprano from whom not much is heard of today, but who, in her prime, was on top of her game.

My only objection to the package is that while the notes five the French text of the songs and the author of the text, there is no translation. Otherwise, this is a super buy.

Great!!!.......2006-06-19

The music on this compilation is beautiful. It is also beautifully sung. Amelling is amazing, as always!!!

A delightful programme.......2006-01-20

Faure was a genius and his songs are some of the most beautiful ever written, being animated by the spirit of beauty itself (Ms Venus:-).)

The performers did an outstanding job singing this repertoire, and especially Elly Ameling's performance is pure *delight*
- honestly-.

I hope others will enjoy it as much as I have.

Highly recommended.

Limpid, refined, elegant music........2001-04-04

This famous set provides on 4 CDs the complete songs (mélodies, he preferred to call them) by Faure. They are entrusted to the native French baritone, the Dutch soprano, and their accompanist Dalton Baldwin, and were recorded in the early 1970s. The set is not inexpensive, so I shall try to outline its merits. The music itself is enthralling. Faure set, over a period of sixty years, texts by French poets. Limpid, refined, elegant music, it repays repetition and close listening. One reviewer has suggested that no listener will want to listen to umpteen of these mélodies in one sitting, but I have never had too much of them. If slow tempi and arpeggio accompaniments begin to pall, listen to "Nell" (CD 2, Track 4). The performers satisfy on all counts. Souzay's contribution reflect a life time's association with the music, and a tradition that goes back through his teachers to the time of Faure himself. His definitive version of "La bonne Chanson" is especially fine. If his style is more suited to the impassioned, ardent items, it balances well with the cooler, more detached singing of Elly Ameling. So that you will not be disappointed, I should also mention that translations of the texts are not provided. I also wish that the balance had been better engineered. Sometimes Souzay seems to have the microphone in his mouth, and always the piano seems too distant. These are but minor flaws, however, in a long necklace of priceless pearls.

Average customer rating: Cinq pas Deux ( 5 x 2 )

Soundtrack: Cinq Fois Deux (Import) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music Soundtracks | Imports | Stores | Music Similar Items: The Best of Paolo Conte 5X2 The World of Italian Hits of the 60's Italian Greatest Hits Reveries ASIN: B0002IRXWS Release Date: 2005-07-26

Album Description

Original soundtrack to the French film 5X2 which takes two thirty-somethings in love through five very crucial points in their lives. Stars Stéphane Freiss & Valeria Bruni-Tedeschi. Composed by Philippe Rombi, this soundtrack has been written by François Ozon who collaborated with Emmanuèle Bernheim. Contains 14 total tracks with featured artists Paolo Conte, Wilma Goich, Luigi Tenco, Gino Paoli, Bobby Solo and more. BMG. 2005.

Customer Reviews:

Cinq pas Deux ( 5 x 2 ).......2007-07-13

One of the best soundtracks I've ever owned. Truly amazing. Paolo Conte, Luigi Tenco, et. al., are all terrific. I listen to it every single day. Haunting... If you appreciate exquisitely romantic, mood-setting music, please consider this for your library.

Average customer rating: Half the tracks are march or played like one decent for dancing Recommended Wonderful selection, but not really dancing music This Will Keep You Dancing

25 Classical Dance Favorites Manufacturer: Vox (Classical) ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Polkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Beethoven | Beethoven, Ludwig van | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Borodin | Borodin, Alexander | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Dvorák, Antonín | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Khachaturian | Khachaturian, Aram | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Meyerbeer | Meyerbeer, Giacomo | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Mendelssohn | Mendelssohn, Felix | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Offenbach | Offenbach, Jacques | ( O ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Ponchielli | Ponchielli, Amilcare | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Sousa | Sousa, John Philip | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Strauss Jr., Johann | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Strauss | Strauss, Richard | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Villa-Lobos, Heitor | ( V ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Incidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Marches | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Villa-Lobos, Heitor | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music London Philharmonic Orchestra | ( L ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Minnesota Orchestra | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Russian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Operettas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music CDs Under $7 | Waltzes | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Waltzes | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music 4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music 4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: 25 Classical Favorites A Night at the Ballet (Box Set) Favorite Waltzes 25 Concerto Favorites Symphony (25) Favorites ASIN: B0000058IQ Release Date: 1997-07-01

Tracks:

1. Blue Danube Waltz
2. Midsummer's Night Dream: Scherzo
3. Sleeping Beauty: Introduction
4. Sleeping Beauty: Adagio pas d'action
5. Annen Polka
6. Tales From The Vienna Woods
7. Turkish March
8. Bella Bolka Polka
9. Les Patineurs: Pas de Duex From Les Patineurs
10. Les Patineurs: Finale From Les Patineurs
11. Dance Of the Nubian Slave Girls
12. Samson: Ballet Music From Samson
13. Entry Of The Gladiators
14. La Gioconda: Dance Of The Hours
15. Washington Post
16. Peaches & Cream
17. Polovtsian Dances (Extract)
18. Slavic Dance In G Minor, Op.46 No. 8
19. Der Rosenkavalier Waltz
20. Galop (La Vie Parisienne)
21. Orpheus: Can Can (Orpheus)
22. Sabre Dance
23. Gavotta Choro
24. Faust: Ballet (Extract)
25. Bolero

Customer Reviews:

Half the tracks are march or played like one.......2007-06-05

This disc reminded me of Leonard Bernstein's conducting: somehow many of his conducting session became marches. Many tracks on this disc is like that. I am a novice when it comes to classical music, so part of allure of this disc was that it contained many titles I didn't recognize, so it wasn't a total loss. I guess I should have read the track listing more carefully... what is Washington Post by Sousa doing on dance compilation?

decent for dancing.......2006-12-31

There are quite a few tracks on here that do well for recital music. THere's different ones from the unoriginal swan lake's and nutcracker..my students loved to hear what came next....it gets better towards the end of the cd!

Recommended.......2005-10-03

For those who would enjoy a fast, fun, and cheerful kind of classical music, I guess this cd is a very good choice. Also, if you want to make your kids a classic music lover, you could start with this fun, lighthearted music.

Wonderful selection, but not really dancing music.......2000-06-27

I agree that this is indeed absolutely beautiful light classical music. It is indeed a perfect beginning to a lifelong passion to have classical music playing in the background or to turn up the volume and immerse yourself in it. But it consists of mostly ballet music, several marches, polkas, an entrance of the gladiators, a gavotte and just to show that he can-can, a delightful little march by Beethoven of all people (Turkish March). Or can you dance to the continuous hypnotic rhythm of Ravel's Bolero? Quite tiring, I would think. Nevertheless, great music at an astounding price. Consider buying all or most of the "25 Favorites" series. You will not regret it

This Will Keep You Dancing.......2000-03-30

If you like to dance and you like classical, this cd is a must have. Who says you can't dance to classical? This CD proves those who think so wrong. Highlights include Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty, Mendhelsson's Midsummer Night's Dream, Gounod's Dance of the Slave Girls and Faust, Dvorak's Slavonic Dance, Offenbach's can-can (yeah!) Katchaturian's Sabre Dance and Ravel's Bolero. All these are excellent. Sousa Marches are here too. You must get this CD if you are a serious lover of the classical. In fact, this was my first Classical CD. Make it a part of your life and dance to the great beats of the classics ! Yeah I'm serious.

Average customer rating: Disappointing The Feel of New York The next stop once you've heard the originals Bernstein's New York, it's a wonderful town! Great CD BUT...

Leonard Bernstein's New York Leonard Bernstein , Dawn Upshaw , Judy Blazer , Mandy Patinkin , Audra McDonald , Donna Murphy , Richard Muenz , Eric Stern , and Orchestra Of St. Luke's Manufacturer: Nonesuch ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Bernstein | Bernstein, Leonard | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Musicals | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music Traditional Vocal Pop | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music General | Broadway & Vocalists | Styles | Music McDonald, Audra | Divas | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Soundtracks | Styles | Music 1990s | By Decade | Pop | Styles | Music General | Vocal Pop | Pop | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Contemporary Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music 1990-1999 | Decades | Compilations | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Similar Items: How Glory Goes Happy Songs Leonard Bernstein's New York / Mandy Patinkin, Dawn Upshaw, Donna Murphy Experiment Sings Sondheim ASIN: B000005J40 Release Date: 1996-08-20

Tracks:

1. Lonely Town
2. Come Up To My Place
3. What A Waste
4. A Little Bit In Love
5. Fancy Free: Danzon Variation
6. Ain't Got No Tears Left
7. Ballet At The Village Vortex
8. Wrong Note Rag
9. Story Of My Life
10. Cab And Bedroom
11. One Hand, One Heart
12. Ya Got Me
13. A Quiet Girl
14. Balcony Scene (Tonight)
15. Lonely Town Pas De Deux
16. Somewhere
17. West Side Story: Ballet Sequence From West Side Story
18. Some Other Time
19. New York, New York (Finale, Act II)

Amazon.com

Leonard Bernstein's New York is a cornucopia of tongue-in-cheek wit, unabashed romanticism, big-city loneliness, and intellectual irony. His well-known orchestral brilliance is beautifully represented under the stellar conducting of Eric Stern, but his underappreciated talents as a songwriter are what shine, elevating this recording to magic. The cast of American theater's best includes Mandy Patinkin wonderfully indulging his comic side; Judy Blazer and Donna Murphy, the shiniest lights on Broadway, demonstrating their extensive range as singing actresses; Audra McDonald making the difficult sound easy; and Richard Muenz and Dawn Upshaw singing elegantly. Most unforgettably pleasing are the trios "Ya Got Me" and "What A Waste." A great tribute to Bernstein's theater works. --Barbara Eisner Bayer

Customer Reviews:

Disappointing.......2007-03-13

I agree that this is a great collection. But I have to wonder: Am I the only one who got a bum copy of the CD? The songs are all mixed up on my copy, as in, most of the tracks are mislabeled: "A Quiet Girl" is really "Tonight", The Balcony Scene, printed as "Tonight" is really "Somewhere". The list goes on.

So, who do I kvetch to? I'd like a copy that isn't a complete mishmash.

The Feel of New York.......2007-01-09

Having spent most of my working years in NYC, I felt this CD brought the city to me. Bernstein has allways been a favorite.

The next stop once you've heard the originals.......2007-01-09

As a tribute to Bernstein on Broadway, this CD is hard to beat. All the singers are stars but of a generation, ro two, beyond the originals. Naturally here's been a change of style, and these renditions are more knowing, sophisticated, and at times ironic than the originals. On their own, Donna Murphy, Dawn Upshaw, and Mandy Patinkin, among others, are masters of their craft, but I hope anyone who loves LB will also seek out the original cast albums for all of his musicals, or the clesest one can get (On the Town was remade in the Fifties). Those recordings cast a unique spel, but the next stop is this marvelous CD.

Bernstein's New York, it's a wonderful town!.......2002-01-15

And speaking of "Wonderful Town," it's so nice to hear music from this least appreciated of Bernstein's musicals. "What a Waste," "A Quiet Girl" and Audra McDonald's enchanting "A Little Bit in Love" have never sounded better. Donna Murphy burns the house down with the torchy "Ain't Got No Tears Left," and has fun with Patinkin and Blazer on the raucous "Ya Got Me." "One Hand, One Heart" sung by Dawn Upshaw and Richard Muenz is movingly rendered, as is Patinkin's wonderful delivery of an all-time Bernstein favorite, "Some Other Time." My only comlaint? Where is "I Can Cook Too?" A terrific recording.

Great CD BUT..........2000-07-02

I loved this CD, but there was some things that kept it fromgetting four stars. First Mandy Patkin, I loved him in Sunday in The Park With George, also I have a CD of him singing yiddish songs all good, but in this CD I just don't like him. Like in the song "Come Up To My Place" I didn't like his voice and I never could quite see him as the character for that song. Also I would have liked to see (well actually "hear") some more of the dance numbers or overtures, I realize the main point of the CD was all the singers they put together, but the real highlight of the CD for me was the sections from Fancy Free, and Ballet At The Village Vortex from Wonderful Town. Also I liked "One Hand One Heart" a lot. Overall I would get this CD if you like Bernstein or any of these musicals, it is good listen, just not outstanding.

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