20th Century French Songs

[Mandryka]

I really mean songs by Ravel, Debussy, Duparc, Poulenc, Fauré, Messiaen.

Anyone get any favourite records? I want to build up a little library.

[bhodges]

Voices of Light: Songs of Messiaen, Debussy, Golijov and Fauré (Dawn Upshaw/Gilbert Kalish)
Mots D'Amour: Songs of Cecile Chaminade (Anne Sofie von Otter/Bengt Forsberg) - Written between 1890 and 1910, this falls right at the cusp of your requested time period,  but in any case well worth hearing.

--Bruce

[Franco]

In this same series there are recordings of Debussy and Poulenc songs.

Also, Hyperion has a French songs series, of which I have Poulenc and Faure installments.

[False_Dmitry]

Another superb recording of the Faure songs might be this series:



You would probably not want to miss this, either

[False_Dmitry]

And despite having some of the nastiest cover art-work available, the music on this disk is excellently-performed - Martineau is "the accompanist" of our generation

[Scarpia]

This one is just magical!

[ccar]

Apart from Souzay (and others already mentioned) here are some suggestions you may explore:   

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TetSCfZmYRY
http://youtube.com/watch?v=sPxyDzxQzeU&feature=related
http://youtube.com/watch?v=ZQf2RvpMbYM
http://youtube.com/watch?v=XcMQcKiE41c&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pma4H4Fd5LA
http://youtube.com/watch?v=y69C6Ysu0gY

[knight66]

This is a mixed recital of both French and Spanish songs. The French portion covers the requested composers.

Here is a track list:

Track Listings
1. Trois Poemes De Stephane Mallarme: Soupir 
2. Trois Poemes De Stephane Mallarme: Placet Futile 
3. Trois Poemes De Stephane Mallarme: Autre Eventail De Mademoiselle Mallarme 
4. Chanson Triste 
5. Soupir 
6. Phydile 
7. Cinq Melodies Populaires Grecques: Le Reveil De La Mariee 
8. Cinq Melodies Populaires Grecques: La-bas, Vers L'eglise 
9. Cinq Melodies Populaires Grecques: Quel Galant M'est Comparable 
10. Cinq Melodies Populaires Grecques: Chanson Des Cueilleuses De Lentiques 
11. Cinq Melodies Populaires Grecques: Tout Gai! 
12. La Maja Dolorosa: Oh Muerte Cruel! 
13. La Maja Dolorosa: Ay Majo De Mi Vida 
14. La Maja Dolorosa: De Aquel Majo Amante 
15. La Maja Dolorosa: El Majo Discreto 
16. La Maja Dolorosa: El Tra La La Y El Punteado 
17. La Maja Dolorosa: El Majo Timido 
18. La Maja Dolorosa: Elegia Eterna 
19. De Los Alamos Vengo, Madre 
20. Dos Cantares Populares 

This is a very special disc with the most sensual and sensitive singing. Price was at her peak for this recording the voice pristine, but the depth of artistry ensuring the style and tone colouring is really telling.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Immerseel plays on an 1897 Erard.

[The new erato]

This is a neew, cheap 4-disc set on Newton Classics:

http://www.mdt.co.uk/MDTSite/pages/product/product.asp?ctgry=&prod=8802007

Songs by:
Faure, Poulenc, Ravel, Leguerny, Hahn, Duparc, Gounod, Chabrier, Bizet, Franck, Roussel

[False_Dmitry]

Now, how about those songs by Boulanger?

[Franco]

Now, how about those songs by Boulanger?

Lili Boulanger is featured as one of the Hyperion French Song Edition discs.

I have not heard this one, beyond the samples, but I have found of the ones I do own that the Hyperion song sets to be uniformly good.

[Franco]

Mady Mesple is a singer I like a lot - this is a good set, if you can find it.

[False_Dmitry]

How times change, eh?  Fifteeen years ago we'd have had multiple recommendations for the SONGS OF THE AUVERGNE - but it's not yet been mentioned   (BTW they are originally for voice & piano - the orchestrations were made later).

[listener]

I recommend, if you don't mind an orchestral accompaniment, Ravel's Sheherezade

[Tsaraslondon]

Lili Boulanger is featured as one of the Hyperion French Song Edition discs.

I have not heard this one, beyond the samples, but I have found of the ones I do own that the Hyperion song sets to be uniformly good.

Clairieres dans le Ciel is a beautiful song cycle, and I have no idea why it is not performed more regularly. Unfortunately I found the Martyn Hill version somewhat disappointing, the vibrato in his voice too often getting in the way of the music. I once had (on a cassette, taped for me by a friend), a version featuring, I think, Eric Tappy, which was infinitely superior. Lilli Boulanger's small output of music certainly deserves wider recognition.

[Franco]

Clairieres dans le Ciel is a beautiful song cycle, and I have no idea why it is not performed more regularly. Unfortunately I found the Martyn Hill version somewhat disappointing, the vibrato in his voice too often getting in the way of the music. I once had (on a cassette, taped for me by a friend), a version featuring, I think, Eric Tappy, which was infinitely superior. Lilli Boulanger's small output of music certainly deserves wider recognition.

Interesting.  I do not have any complaints about Mr. Hill's performance.

[ccar]

Lieder was never the most "popular" form of classical music. The "Melodies" were an even smaller niche.
Most of the famous "melodies" compositions (Berlioz, Duparc, Fauré, Debussy, ...)  were really born in the 19th century. But became more widely Known during the the first quarter of the 20th. When looking for "pure" 20th century French Song we really have to look for the more "modern" composers like Ravel, Poulenc or Messian. 
       
But even if you appreciate and love these 19th-20th century "french songs" you may be less familiar with the more underrated "melodies" composers, like Gounod, Chabrier, Hahn or Chausson.

Chausson's "Poème de l' amour et de la mer" was one of the most popular vocal/orchestral romantic compositions. But when we look into the less Known Chausson's melodies we may also discover some of the most beautiful "french songs" ever composed.

Gerard Souzay 1955 recording (Testament SBT 1312) includes a wonderful selection of Chausson's melodies. And it's also a good opportunity to experience the freshness and magic of Souzay's voice in the early years of his career.

http://il.youtube.com/watch?v=_AVf21fo57c&feature=related


   

[knight66]

French song discussed here at posts 125 and 127

http://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,555.120.html

Mike

[knight66]

Here is a double disc by Barbara Hendricks.


It has some music falling outside the thread category; but contains all of an earlier recital of Ravel and Duparc. I do enjoy her voice in French music. As will be seen Elliot-Gardiner is her conductor; he is finely attuned to the flavour here. Scheherezade is a lovely performance.

She also has a double disc in the same series of an hour of Faure then Hahn, Duparc and some earlier French composers. These are accompanied by piano. Again, I think she absorbs the style very well. Not the absolute word paintiong some singers provide, but lots of rewards.

Mike