This Acanta release features the voice of Berlin-born baritone
Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau who died earlier this year. The programme
is a real curiosity containing rarities from French composers
Fauré, Ravel and Poulenc. Fischer-Dieskau is accompanied
by Wolfgang Sawallisch the eminent conductor who is also a highly
regarded pianist. The chamber ensemble comprises members of
the Berliner Philharmoniker including violinist Thomas Brandis
who was the orchestra’s concertmaster at the time of the
recording.
We start with Fauré’s La bonne chanson,
a song cycle of nine mélodies originally for voice and
piano composed in 1892/94. The song cycle is based on poems
from Paul Verlaine’s collection of the same name. In 1898
Fauré produced a version for voice, piano and string
quartet, however, that performed here includes a double bass.
It’s a fine vehicle for Fischer-Dieskau who clearly relishes
the broad character of Fauré’s settings. Ravel’s
Chansons madécasses (Songs of Madagascar)
is a set of three for voice, flute, cello and piano written
in 1925/26 to texts by Evariste Parny. It offers a compelling
blend of sensuality, sorrow and acrimony and Fischer-Dieskau
embraces all this with considerable success. Poulenc’s
cantata Le bal masqué (The masked ball)
for voice and chamber ensemble was composed in 1932 a setting
of poetry by Max Jacob. The chamber ensemble employed here comprises
oboe, clarinet, bassoon, trumpet, piano, violin, cello and percussion.
Divided by two instrumental-only interludes these are vibrant,
colourful and frequently quirky pieces. Featuring rhythmic and
highly percussive writing this set is easily enjoyed with the
brilliant instrumentation as prominent as the vocal part.
Fischer-Dieskau was one of the finest baritones of his generation.
He really digs the meaning of the texts. I find his singing
characterful with splendid enunciation; if a touch mannered
at times. The chamber accompaniment is as flawless as one would
expect from the pedigree of these players.
In truth this re-issue of French songs doesn’t have wide
allure and will appeal mainly to Fischer-Dieskau devotees. The
sound which is stated as being re-mastered is brightly lit,
generally satisfying but occasionally uncomfortably fierce at
the top. I have seen details of this recording when it was released
in 1976 as a 33 1/3 rpm vinyl LP. Unlike the original recording
this Acanta re-issue sadly has no texts and following a link
in the booklet was a waste of time. There is more than enough
space in the booklet to have accommodated the sung texts and
translations.
Michael Cookson
Track listing
Gabriel FAURÉ (1845-1924)
La bonne chanson, Op. 61 (1892/94) [21:14]
1. Une Sainte en son auréole
2. Puisque l'aube grandit
3. La lune blanche luit dans les bois
4. J'allais par des chemins perfides
5. J'ai presque peur, en vérité
6. Avant que tu ne t'en ailles
7. Donc, ce sera par un clair jour d'été
8. N'est-ce pas?
9. L'hiver a cessé
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Chansons madécasses (1925/26) [12:57]
10. Nahandove, ô belle Nahandove
11. Aoua! Aoua!
12. Il est doux de se coucher
Francis POULENC (1899-1963)
Le bal masqué (1932) [18:14]
13. Préambule et air de bravoure
14. Intermède
15. Malvina
16. Bagatelle
17. La dame aveugle
18. Finale
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Dietrich Fischer-Dieskau (baritone) 