Philippe Katerinecomme Disait ma Petite Sœur

Collegium Vocale Gent and its founder Philippe Herreweghe continue their recordings of the works of Carlo Gesualdo with ‘Silenzio Mio’, which contains the Fourth Book of Madrigals, published in 1596. Regarded as one of the most eccentric composers of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries, but also one of the most creative, he experiments here with new melodic and harmonic effects that enthralled listeners of the time. These innovations are applied to poems by Alessandro Guarini and several anonymous writers, all of which focus on the expression of personal feelings, particularly a ‘pathos’ new on the literary scene. A veritable historical testimony to the artistic turning point that occurred at the court of Ferrara in the early seventeenth century, this fourth book takes its place in the long-term recording project of Collegium Vocale, hailed by critics for its ‘homogeneity, contrapuntal transparency and luminosity, strikingly evident even in the most tormented pieces’ (Diapason).

The latest in Hervé Niquet's 'reinvigorations' of French operatic music from the Baroque and beyond for Glossa is Rameau’s 1747 'Les Fêtes de l’Hymen et de l’Amour'. A ballet heroïque in a prologue and three entrées, the whole work was designed to comprise a complete theatrical spectacle. Music for dancing – as befits a ballet – is given a prominent role and Rameau is able to create especially expressive symphonies and to give the choruses – even a double-chorus – an integral role in the action. Added to this are supernatural effects, and plots for the entrées which explored the then uncommon world of Egyptian mythology (including a musical depiction of the flooding of the River Nile).

With Les Indes galantes by Jean-Philippe Rameau, György Vashegyi – along with his Orfeo Orchestra and Purcell Choir – makes a further dazzling addition to their Glossa series of French dramatic masterpieces from the Baroque, and in the company of a luxurious line-up of vocal soloists.

Philippe Jaroussky (born 13 February 1978 in Maisons-Laffitte, France)[1] is a French sopranist countertenor. He began his musical career with the violin, winning an award at the Versailles conservatory and then took up the piano before turning to singing. He is noted for a virtuosic coloratura technique and for compelling and enlivened interpretations of baroque cantatas and operas…

Alberic Magnard - Alain Meunier, Philippe Guilhon-Herbert - Une Mort Mythique (2014) {Hortus}
EAC rip (secure mode) | FLAC (tracks)+CUE+LOG -> 247 Mb | MP3 @320 -> 168 Mb
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© 2014 Hortus | HORTUS 701
Classical / Romantic / Chamber Music / Cello

This Magnard re-issue on the French label Hortus originally appeared in 2012 (review). It is now repackaged as volume 1 in the series Les Musiciens et la Grande Guerre (Musicians and the Great War) titled Une Mort Mythique (A Legendary Death). Magnard’s Cello Sonata is the primary attraction with the remainder given over to the composer’s complete output for solo piano which takes around forty-four minutes in total. A Parisian by birth Magnard was born into a wealthy family with a privileged upbringing. A pupil at the Conservatoire de Paris Magnard studied under Jules Massenet and Vincent D’Indy. Magnard became a national hero who was tragically shot and burnt to death defending his house from the invading Germans.

«A mes yeux, cet enregistrement du requiem est incontounable, la sérénité qui s'en dégage, l'équilibre général, la qualité de l'interprétation tant vocale qu'instrumentale en font une version de premier plan, même si le choix est vaste, ma préférence est toujours restée pour cette version.»

Alpha presents the reissue of Ensemble Pygmalions version of Dardanus, conducted by Raphaël Pichon and recorded in the majestic acoustics of the Opéra Royal at Versailles Palace. This set won multiple awards on its first release: Rameau, a flinty-hearted composer lacking in imagination? Rameau, a cold mathematician in his chord progressions and a severe draughtsman in his vocal lines? One need only listen, in Dardanus, to the melancholy laments of Princess Iphise, splendidly sung by the soprano Gaëlle Arquez, to realise the treasures of tenderness and invention that still remained in the youthful heart of the fifty-six-year-old composer! . . . This version, which fills an important gap in the discography, possesses all the assets needed to speak to us today, and to last.

The first ever release of the late 1970’s recordings, La Petite Fenetre by Laurence Vanay is a powerful collection of songs from an unsung French artist. As an arranger at Château d’Hérouville studios, Vanay spent far too much time on other people’s sounds to release her own music. Finally these beautiful instrumentals get the airing they deserve…