Composer: André Caplet, Claude Achille Debussy, Gabriel Urbain Fauré, Arthur Honegger, Francis Poulenc, Maurice Ravel, Roderick Williams
Performer: Roderick Williams, Roger Vignoles
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Champs Hill Records
Catalogue: CHRCD159
Release: 2022
Size: 2.21 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Fauré: Mirages, Op. 113
01. I. Cygne sur l’eau
02. II. Reflets dans l’eau
03. III. Jardin nocturne
04. IV. Danseuse
Caplet: 5 Ballades Françaises
05. I. Cloche d’aube
06. II. La Ronde
07. III. Notre chaumière en Yveline
08. IV. Songe d’une nuit d’été
09. V. L’adieu en barque
Honegger: Petits cours de morale
10. I. Jeanne
11. II. Adèle
12. III. Cécile
13. IV. Irène
14. V. Rosemonde
Ravel: Don Quichotte à Dulcinée
15. I. Chanson Romanesque
16. II. Chanson Épique
17. III. Chanson à boire
Williams: Les ténèbres de l’amour
18. I. La dure épreuve va finir
19. II. Va, chanson à tire-d’aile
20. III. Hier, on parlait de choses et d’autres
21. IV. Nous sommes en les temps infâmes
Honegger: Saluste du Bartas
22. I. Le château du Bartas
23. II. Tout le long de la Baïse
24. III. Le départ
25. IV. Le promenade
26. V. Nérac en fête
27. VI. Duo
Poulenc: 2 poèmes d’Apollinaire, Op. 94
28. I. Dans le jardin d’Anna
29. II. Allons plus vite
Poulenc: Parisiana, Op. 157
30. I. Jouer du bugle
31. II. Vous n’écrivez plus?
32. Debussy: Beau soir
In their latest release for Champs Hill Records, distinguished baritone Roderick Williams and acclaimed pianist Roger Vignoles join forces once again to offer a stunning recording, this time inspired by their critically acclaimed Wigmore Hall recital of French Song. Williams and Vignoles guide the listener through much-loved and lesser-known songs by the most celebrated French song composers, and others perhaps less well-known to English audiences. ‘One of the particular joys of recording for Champs Hill is to be allowed to programme discs with freedom,’ comments Williams. ‘We assembled the programme as one would a recital programme, contrasting the delicate austerity of late Faureģ with the rich sonority of Caplet. We hoped the resulting shape would resemble an evening’s song recital, in which the first half begins gently, grows into something more voluptuous before finishing with a riotous drinking song to lead to the interval; the second begins with a challenging contemporary piece before the reward of great fun, and the whole evening ends with hilarity, mischief and bravura. And not to forget a brief encore, a nod to the most quintessential of French early-twentieth-century composers. To create and record this programme in such charming, relaxed surroundings was a treat; we hope you will enjoy listening in the same quixotic mood.’
Williams and Vignoles’ prior releases for Champs Hill include Brahms’ only song cycle, Die Schone Magelone (2017, CHR108). BBC Music Magazine said: ‘Williams delivers the narration naturally, while proving once again to be a thoughtful exponent of sung text, an interpreter consistently attentive to its meaning. As an accompanist, Vignoles is every bit as engaged, his delicate and resourceful playing joining with Williams’ vocalism to point up significant detail. ‘Prior to this, Williams and Vignoles joined Joan Rodgers CBE to present Wolf’s Italian songbook (2013, CHR054). In their review, Gramophone commented: ‘Inspired by Vignoles humorous relish and luminous delivery of touch, Rodgers and Williams form a persuasive duo.’