Mon Sang

Following the success of 1999's thrilling Armide, Marc Minkowski and his excellent cast fully convey the power and drama of Gluck's masterpiece. They pull you into the story (based on a play by Euripides) through the emotional truth of their interpretation. The opening quiet strings create an air of mystery dispelled by a ferocious storm magnificently conveyed by these early-music specialists. Within a few phrases of Iphigénie's opening lament, Delunsch creates a believable, sympathetic character.

This is the masterwork, Gluck's last important opera, which convinced the teenage medical student Berlioz, when he first heard it in 1821, that he had to be a composer. He worshipped Gluck and took his side in the phoney "Gluck vs.Piccini War". He set himself the task of sitting in the Conservatoire library to copy out the entire score in order to absorb its lessons. Its directness and drama influenced his artistic style his whole life through, as evinced by key points in "Les Troyens".

The most popular opera of Gluck might be Orfeo ed Euridice, but this one, Iphigénie en Tauride, is probably his most dramatically involving. It is about familial love and deep friendship and, as such, lacks the usual "love" music and interest. But the waters here run deep, and Martin Pearlman and his singers plumb those depths. Christine Goerke's Iphigénie is dignified, rich with expression and beautiful tone. Almost no less good is the Orestes of Rodney Gilfry, who uses his high baritone with intelligence and ease, singing tenderly when needed and explosively at other times. Vinson Cole brings grainy, expressive tenor to the role of Pylades firmly and effectively; and Stephen Salters, as the villainous Thaos, might sing coarsely, but it suits the character.

The role of Fides calls for a Brünnhilde range with an Amneris-type voice, requiring extraordinary vocal flexibility and dramatic punch – Marilyn Horne has them all, and she brings out the pathos of the part without sentimentalizing it.

Des premiers 45 tours de «l’idole des jeunes» dans les années soixante aux concerts monumentaux des années 2000, la carrière de Johnny Hallyday est un héritage artistique exceptionnel. Durant plus de 40 ans avec 43 albums studio et 22 albums «live» à son catalogue, Mercury Records est le label qui bâti à ses côtés cette carrière inoubliable.
Le Coffret 100 titres (5CD) de l’album de sa vie retrace les grandes chansons de la discographie de Johnny Hallyday : L’œuvre d’une vie

The first edition of this discography, each copy of which had its own room, left on Mercury (PolyGram) sale in the luxury, deluxe version in 1997, and since then, discography, fully or partially reprinted many times. But the new runs all comers is not enough, so now it can be purchased only on occasion. And all because of Serge Lama, no doubt, is another jewel in the crown of French pop music of the past half century.

If you like Charles Aznavour, you will love this new collection. It contains some of his classic songs, as well as those from a few years ago. One good song is followed by an even greater one, without boredom. Aznavour is a timeless masterpiece, which keeps on perfecting…