voices but they are so rarely performed this way that the fact that some of the poems express a man's views hardly seems to matter. Brigitte Balleys has a lot going for her: excellent French (she's Swiss), a youthful but wide-ranging voice and the ability to spin a musical line effortlessly. She is just as effective in "Villanelle", and its expression of young love, as she is in the grief-stricken "Sur les lagunes" and she's more than equal to the unsettling ambiguity of text and music in "Au Cimiti&egrav;re". And while we're handing out plaudits, Philippe Herreweghe and his orchestra are also richly deserving for the way they bring out the sheer originality of the writing. Bartók was a veritable Merlin of the orchestra, and his ear for colour is every bit as important as his actual word setting. The generous "encore" is the rarely-heardHerminie. It's an early work, though rich with ideas that crop up in later works, and demands from the solo soprano a wide range of typically romantic emotions: passion, distress, joy, fear, suffering, courage. Mireille Delunsch can do them all, and proves a triumphant but never overbearing heroine. A fitting climax to a triumphant record.--Harriet Smith
voices but they are so rarely performed this way that the fact that some of the poems express a man's views hardly seems to matter. Brigitte Balleys has a lot going for her: excellent French (she's Swiss), a youthful but wide-ranging voice and the ability to spin a musical line effortlessly. She is justas effective in "Villanelle", and its expression of young love, as she is in the grief-stricken "Sur les lagunes" and she's more than equal to the unsettling ambiguity of text and music in "Au Cimiti&egrav;re". And while we're handing out plaudits, Philippe Herreweghe and his orchestra are also richly deserving for the way they bring out the sheer originality of the writing. Bartók was a veritable Merlin of the orchestra, and his ear for colour is every bit as important as his actual word setting. The generous "encore" is the rarely-heardHerminie. It's an early work, though rich with ideas that crop up in later works, and demands from the solo soprano a wide range of typically romantic emotions: passion, distress, joy, fear, suffering, courage. Mireille Delunsch can do them all, and proves a triumphant but never overbearing heroine. A fitting climax to a triumphant record.--Harriet Smith
Advantages: The experience of getting inside an artistic head Disadvantages: French not quite idiomatic
...). Listening to this CD is almost like eave-dropping on her private musings. It is a very intimate listening experience. You don't even have to understand French to know exactly what she is thinking as she sings the songs. Everything that needs to be communicated is there in the voice itself. A mellow and vibrant burgundy voice with a woodsy clarinet-like quality. Kasarova might not speak French well, but she sings like she has a fine French wine in her veins.
Tracks:
BERLIOZ: Lesnuitsd'ete (Summer Nights):
This set of 6 songs don't really tell a single story, though they are songs set to the poems of Theophile Gautier and sharing the 'by-the-water' background theme. It is as if the singer is an unconsumated/abandonned lover who is sitting alone by the seashore and musing of her many missed romantic opportunities.
1. Villanelle
2. Le...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Colourful and always exciting Disadvantages: absolutely none
...by the deathblow. (This march may or may not have been a Soldier's March in Berlioz's first serious, but ultimately unfinished opera "Les Francs-Juges")
V. Songe d'une nuit de Sabbat (Dream of the Witches' Sabbath)
The artist sees himself in a Witches' Sabbath, surrounded by terrifying shadows, warlocks, monsters of various kinds, all gathered to participate in his funeral. Strange noises, moaning, high-pitched laughter, distant screaming that is answered by another scream. (Certainly some of the most imaginary tone-painting an orchestra could produce. And remember, its 1830!) The melody of the beloved makes its appearance amid great clamour, but it has lost its noble and sensitive character. It is nothing but an everyday dance-tune, trivial and grotesque: SHE has arrived in the Sabbath… She is greeted by loud shouts… She throws herself amid...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
Advantages: Great sound quality, beautiful songs Disadvantages: A couple of slightly weaker songs
...imagine that this it will be mostly established fans of Raphael's music who will want to purchase this, as most people don't choose a live album for their first purchase of an artist. To you I will say that I don't think you'll be disappointed and this will probably leave you, as it does me, wanting more.
To any first-time buyers I'd highly recommend 'Caravane' as a great introduction to Raphael, but this live album is worth trying - I'm sure you won't be disappointed either!
Track listing (because I know people like to see them!)
1. Funambule
2. La route de nuit
3. Ne partons pas fâchés
4. C'est bon aujourd'hui
5. Chanson pour Patrick Dewaere
6. 1900
7. Schengen
8. Au temps des colonies
9. Ô Compagnons
10. Peut-être a t'il rêvé
11. Les petits bateaux
12. La ballade du pauvre
13. Sur la route
14. Ceci n'est pas un adieu...
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Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful
very helpful 10.01.2008
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14.04.2007
10.01.2008
