Gabriel Fauré (Faure)

Started by The Emperor, July 21, 2007, 10:46:34 AM

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Ghost of Baron Scarpia

Quote from: Madiel on March 11, 2019, 09:28:28 PM
Having actually sampled one of Martineau's Signum volumes just last night, I generally prefer the singers on the Hyperion set. Though there are some good sounding ones on Signum as well, there are also a few I don't personally like as much.

But there's a major qualification to that. Jennifer Smith on Hyperion is quite bad, and unfortunately she gets some major song cycles. I think she's on quite a bit of Volume 4 in particular.

Even with better singers, I'm not sure that Graham Johnson does as well in late Faure as with early and middle works. But then, who does?
My quest for a Jennifer Smith replacement led me to the Veronique Dietschy album that I utterly adore, but that's only 1 disc. For other songs I'm still looking for someone who has mastered the incredibly difficult subtleties of late Faure.

Are you familiar with the old EMI set with Ameling and Souzey?

Madiel

#301
Quote from: Ghost of Baron Scarpia on March 11, 2019, 10:14:42 PM
Are you familiar with the old EMI set with Ameling and Souzey?

I have sampled it yes. But Mirror Image is specifically looking for things other than the EMI set. And I am not entirely in love with its sound quality or Ameling's vocal tone.

I might revisit it once I identify which opuses I still really want an alternative for. The first time I was looking around, Dietschy enchanted me so utterly in La Chanson d'Eve that I pretty much discarded anyone else from consideration. Ameling was okay, but Dietschy was magnificent.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Ghost of Baron Scarpia

Quote from: Madiel on March 11, 2019, 11:36:27 PM
I have sampled it yes. But Mirror Image is specifically looking for things other than the EMI set. And I am not entirely in love with its sound quality or Ameling's vocal tone.

I might revisit it once I identify which opuses I still really want an alternative for. The first time I was looking around, Dietschy enchanted me so utterly in La Chanson d'Eve that I pretty much discarded anyone else from consideration. Ameling was okay, but Dietschy was magnificent.

Fair enough. I have the EMI and Hyperion, but have never found time to listen to them. My favorite Faure is Véronique Gens.

Mirror Image

Quote from: Madiel on March 11, 2019, 09:28:28 PM
Having actually sampled one of Martineau's Signum volumes just last night, I generally prefer the singers on the Hyperion set. Though there are some good sounding ones on Signum as well, there are also a few I don't personally like as much.

But there's a major qualification to that. Jennifer Smith on Hyperion is quite bad, and unfortunately she gets some major song cycles. I think she's on quite a bit of Volume 4 in particular.

Even with better singers, I'm not sure that Graham Johnson does as well in late Faure as with early and middle works. But then, who does?
My quest for a Jennifer Smith replacement led me to the Veronique Dietschy album that I utterly adore, but that's only 1 disc. For other songs I'm still looking for someone who has mastered the incredibly difficult subtleties of late Faure.

Thanks for the feedback, Madiel. Food for thought for sure. I'd buy that Véronique Dietschy album, but I don't feel like breaking the bank. ;)

Madiel

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 12, 2019, 06:35:05 AM
Thanks for the feedback, Madiel. Food for thought for sure. I'd buy that Véronique Dietschy album, but I don't feel like breaking the bank. ;)

This is what iTunes or streaming is for. Or putting an alert at Melomania like I did for the next copy that appears.

But seriously, even though I greatly prefer CDs, it's worth using other means of access when it comes to things that just can't viably be bought on CD. Streaming is good for trying things out. iTunes or equivalent for buying the really worthwhile things.

Plus I harassed iTunes into fixing a track listing mistake on that very album. So it's even better now than when I bought it last year.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Madiel

Quote from: Ghost of Baron Scarpia on March 12, 2019, 06:25:37 AM
Fair enough. I have the EMI and Hyperion, but have never found time to listen to them. My favorite Faure is Véronique Gens.

I'm aware she has about one-third of an album (listening right now thanks to the wonders of streaming) called Nuit d'etoiles. Is there anything besides that?
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

Quote from: Madiel on March 12, 2019, 06:53:01 AM
This is what iTunes or streaming is for. Or putting an alert at Melomania like I did for the next copy that appears.

But seriously, even though I greatly prefer CDs, it's worth using other means of access when it comes to things that just can't viably be bought on CD. Streaming is good for trying things out. iTunes or equivalent for buying the really worthwhile things.

Plus I harassed iTunes into fixing a track listing mistake on that very album. So it's even better now than when I bought it last year.

Yep, it appears that this is the only to get that Dietschy album. I don't like downloading, but I guess it's one of those 'what choice do I have?' predicaments.

Madiel

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 12, 2019, 07:00:06 AM
Yep, it appears that this is the only to get that Dietschy album. I don't like downloading, but I guess it's one of those 'what choice do I have?' predicaments.

Yep. I basically only purchase downloads when it's the only option. Which is pretty rare.

Of course my general purchasing rate is about 5% of yours, so when I say I only buy about 1 download a year, your results may vary.

You can at least sample and see if you like Dietschy, though I seem to remember you were a fan of her Debussy.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

Quote from: Madiel on March 12, 2019, 07:04:37 AM
Yep. I basically only purchase downloads when it's the only option. Which is pretty rare.

Of course my general purchasing rate is about 5% of yours, so when I say I only buy about 1 download a year, your results may vary.

You can at least sample and see if you like Dietschy, though I seem to remember you were a fan of her Debussy.

Will do. Yes, I love Dietschy in Debussy (esp. where Philippe Cassard, who is a fantastic Debussyian, is accompanying her).

Madiel

Quote from: Mirror Image on March 12, 2019, 07:18:42 AM
Will do. Yes, I love Dietschy in Debussy (esp. where Philippe Cassard, who is a fantastic Debussyian, is accompanying her).

It's Cassard on the Faure album as well.

I just listened to the Veronique Gens, and i quite like her voice but to be honest the choice of repertoire is a bit disappointing. Mostly very early songs where it's largely about a pretty melody and there's not a huge amount of depth. Out of 8 songs she really only does 2 that I'd regard as anything deeper.

Then I returned to Dietschy and listened to the op.23 songs. "Le Secret" gave me goosebumps and then tears. I know no one else has to agree with me, but for me this is one of the best classical albums I've ever bought.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

Quote from: Madiel on March 12, 2019, 07:30:28 AM
It's Cassard on the Faure album as well.

I just listened to the Veronique Gens, and i quite like her voice but to be honest the choice of repertoire is a bit disappointing. Mostly very early songs where it's largely about a pretty melody and there's not a huge amount of depth. Out of 8 songs she really only does 2 that I'd regard as anything deeper.

Then I returned to Dietschy and listened to the op.23 songs. "Le Secret" gave me goosebumps and then tears. I know no one else has to agree with me, but for me this is one of the best classical albums I've ever bought.

To be moved by music to the degree you have is nothing short of amazing. The power of music is such an overwhelming force. It does seem that Fauré is a composer you deeply connect with and I'm getting there myself. I have found his music exquisitely gorgeous and continue to be lured into his musical web. It seems I like the later works better than the earlier ones, but that's just because I find it a challenge to unlock a composer's later output, because, in a lot of cases, the music becomes more elusive than before or, at least, this seems to be the case with Fauré, but Debussy as well.

Ghost of Baron Scarpia

Quote from: Madiel on March 12, 2019, 06:58:55 AM
I'm aware she has about one-third of an album (listening right now thanks to the wonders of streaming) called Nuit d'etoiles. Is there anything besides that?

That's it. It is my favorite vocal recital album.

Quote from: Madiel on March 12, 2019, 07:30:28 AM
I just listened to the Veronique Gens, and i quite like her voice but to be honest the choice of repertoire is a bit disappointing. Mostly very early songs where it's largely about a pretty melody and there's not a huge amount of depth. Out of 8 songs she really only does 2 that I'd regard as anything deeper.

I wouldn't disagree with the characterization of the repertoire, but I really enjoy her voice and interpretive style (and I rarely find myself enjoying classical singing).

Madiel

#312
Does anyone know of a recording of the opera Prométhée?

I don't know of one. All I'm aware of is a couple of live bits on Youtube from a Brazilian production in 2011...

EDIT: There are appear to be 9 clips on there in total, I don't know that it's enough to add up to a complete performance. (Edit 3: And unfortunately the playing is thoroughly amateur.)

SECOND EDIT: Roger Norrington appears to have done an album with "arias and choruses", but not the full thing.
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Madiel

#313
There is a complete CD by a conductor named Desire Dondeyne.

Not clear if this is the entire work (recording is about 68 minutes long). But it's clearly more than any other edition!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faur%C3%A9-Prom%C3%A9th%C3%A9e-Gabriel/dp/B00X9YB25G

EDIT: Another resource suggests this is about the right length for the entire work (surprising given it's said to be in 3 Acts). The next question is, how in hell does one find a copy? And is it worth it?
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

#314
I'm slowly coming around to more of Fauré's orchestral music (I generally prefer his piano music, chamber, and melodies). I can't imagine myself getting too exited about any of his operas, however, I have read good things about Pénélope.

Madiel

Yeah I don't know that it would be a highlight either, but it would be nice to be able to hear the music properly. There's no sign of streaming or downloads for Promethee
I am now working on a discography of the works of Vagn Holmboe. Please visit and also contribute!

Mirror Image

Quote from: Madiel on December 10, 2019, 12:49:05 PM
Yeah I don't know that it would be a highlight either, but it would be nice to be able to hear the music properly. There's no sign of streaming or downloads for Promethee

Yes, this is quite strange but not completely uncommon of course. I'd be nice if someone recorded the work.

ritter

#317
Cross-posted from the Purchases Today thread:

Quote from: ritter on December 10, 2019, 01:16:06 PM
Most of us know that Fauré's Pelléas et Mélisande was orchestrated by Charles Koechlin. What I didn't know was that Fauré had reduced this beautiful score back to piano solo (well, most of it, one movement having been arranged by Alfred Cortot). It turns out Louis Lortie recorded this solo piano version, and I ordered the CD today.

[asin]B01IQEGCG2[/asin]
The CD also includes other transcriptions (not by Fauré himself) and original piano works, including the Nocturne Nr. 6 (I believe it was Madiel who recently said that this was probably the composer's greatest piano work, and I agree with that  :)).

Quote from: Madiel on December 10, 2019, 02:43:34 AM
There is a complete CD by a conductor named Desire Dondeyne.

Not clear if this is the entire work (recording is about 68 minutes long). But it's clearly more than any other edition!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faur%C3%A9-Prom%C3%A9th%C3%A9e-Gabriel/dp/B00X9YB25G

EDIT: Another resource suggests this is about the right length for the entire work (surprising given it's said to be in 3 Acts). The next question is, how in hell does one find a copy? And is it worth it?
Me being a fervent admire of Pénélope, I've been after that recording of Promethée for years, but have never located a copy  :(.

Quote from: Mirror Image on December 10, 2019, 10:15:36 AM
I'm slowly coming around to more of Fauré's orchestral music (I generally prefer his piano music, chamber, and melodies). I can't imagine myself getting too exited about any of his operas, however, I have read good things about Pénélope.
John, do give Pénélope I try. A very noble if static and a bit too fin de siècle work, but very beautiful. The Dutoit recording with a breathtaking Jessye Norman  (the only commercial recording, actually) is superb. Pénélope is clearly a precursor of Enesco's Oedipe (IMHO a far superior and multifaceted work, and musically much richer, but still...).

Mirror Image

Quote from: ritter on December 10, 2019, 01:30:27 PMJohn, do give Pénélope I try. A very noble if static and a bit too fin de siècle work, but very beautiful. The Dutoit recording with a breathtaking Jessye Norman  (the only commercial recording, actually) is superb. Pénélope is clearly a precursor of Enesco's Oedipe (IMHO a far superior and multifaceted work, and musically much richer, but still...).

I'll probably pass, I listened to some of this Dutoit performance and was rather underwhelmed. A Pelléas et Mélisande or L'enfant et les sortilèges it is not.

ritter

#319
Quote from: Madiel on December 10, 2019, 01:43:35 AM
Does anyone know of a recording of the opera Prométhée?

I don't know of one. All I'm aware of is a couple of live bits on Youtube from a Brazilian production in 2011...

EDIT: There are appear to be 9 clips on there in total, I don't know that it's enough to add up to a complete performance. (Edit 3: And unfortunately the playing is thoroughly amateur.)

SECOND EDIT: Roger Norrington appears to have done an album with "arias and choruses", but not the full thing.
Quote from: Madiel on December 10, 2019, 02:43:34 AM
There is a complete CD by a conductor named Desire Dondeyne.

Not clear if this is the entire work (recording is about 68 minutes long). But it's clearly more than any other edition!

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Faur%C3%A9-Prom%C3%A9th%C3%A9e-Gabriel/dp/B00X9YB25G

EDIT: Another resource suggests this is about the right length for the entire work (surprising given it's said to be in 3 Acts). The next question is, how in hell does one find a copy? And is it worth it?
Here's a live recording of the elusive Promethée, also by Desiré Dondeyne, from Toulouse in 1992 (probably a radio broadcast—from what I can see, the cast appears to be the same as that of the CD on the Ariane label, and it may even be the same performance): https://www.premiereopera.net/product/promethee-by-faure-toulouse-1992/.



Premiere Opera Italy specialises in these live recordings (let's call them "semi-private"  ;)). I've used them in the past (for instance, for Reynaldo Hahn's Le marchand de Venise): their releases are no frills (no libretto, and only a cast list and basic details of recording date and location), but are honestly produced. 

EDIT:

Desiré Dondeyne was a French composer and conductor who specialised in wind bands and died in 2015. This is a Wikipedia article devoted to him. It turns I have some of his recordings in my collection. Of particular interest is this (with a great recording of Florent Schmitt's Dionysiaques and another obscure Fauré work, the Chant funéraire op. 117):



He also conducts the cantata A Glorious Day in the recent Roussel box, and appears in the Berlioz complete set (both on Erato).