Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; Ravel; Debussy; Poulenc

Hector Berlioz (Composer), Maurice Ravel (Composer), Claude Debussy (Composer), Francis Poulenc (Composer), Ernest Ansermet (Conductor), L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande (Orchestra), John Wustman (Performer), Régine Crespin (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: John Wustman, Régine Crespin
• Orchestra: L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
• Conductor: Ernest Ansermet
• Composer: Hector Berlioz, Maurice Ravel, Claude Debussy, Francis Poulenc
• Audio CD (August 10, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00000JXZ4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (11 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #213,694 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

Here is a great French artist singing the songs of her native country in her native language, with the natural inflection and empathy of one to the manner born. Her voice is beautiful, pure throughout a huge range, focused, intense, infinitely nuanced; she can make it float ethereally or glow with a shimmering radiance, brighten and darken it and carry on two-way conversations. Identifying complete with each song, she communicates its mood, atmosphere, character, expression. She captures the pensive dreaminess, plaintive yearning, outpouring of grief and lamentation, as well as the gaiety and lighthearted teasing of Berlioz' many-faceted Les Nuits d'Été. In Ravel's Shéhérazade, her voice becomes part of the exotic, languidly oriental atmosphere created by the lush, sensuous, glittering orchestration, surging up with the sweeping buildups to thrilling climactic high Gs and B-flats, matching the tremulous flute solo in the second song. The orchestra plays wonderfully, exploiting Ravel's infinitely imaginative, vivid coloration to the utmost. Crespin evokes the secretive intimacy, dream-drugged passion and ice-bound rigidity of Debussy's Songs of Bilitis. In the Poulenc songs, the contrast between the almost tear-choked mournfulness and the frolicking humor is riveting. John Wustman's splendid partnering adds greatly to the enchantment of this delightful recording. --Edith Eisler

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A classic, October 19, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; Ravel; Debussy; Poulenc (Audio CD)

This disc is no doubt a tour de force performance of Berlioz's much beloved song-cycle. Among the few so-called classic recordings of this work, I personally find Janet Baker's version over-rated. While tackling the dramatic force of the score brilliantly, Baker's voice nonetheless seems too heavy for these ethereal, dreamy songs. The one recording that rivals Crespin -- not her unsurpassed French flavor, but in terms of overall expressiveness -- is Victoria de los Angeles's artfully direct, touching singing with Charles Munch -- if only it could be properly remastered!!!

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Truly, some of the finest singing one will ever hear!, March 3, 2004

By 

Larry A. Verdugo (Pasadena, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; Ravel; Debussy; Poulenc (Audio CD)

Many might argue with my view of Berlioz' "Les Nuit d'Ete." I've never warmed to the piece in the past and even Crespin's voice cannot change my mind on the matter. I can only revel in her stunningly perfect singing which is truly a pleasure. Immediately following, however, is Ravel's "Scheherazade" and it is for this striking cycle that this CD is invaluable. Crespin presents each of these three songs with effortless legato, lovely piannissimi, dramatic dynamics and endless colors. I now listen to this performance wherever I can: at home, in my car and with anyone who will take the time to enjoy it with me. At the same time, I would not want to give up my recording by another great soprano Victoria de los Angeles. The latter, while not as vocally perfect, provides an even greater degree of verbal expressiveness and variety. Even so, Crespin's performance provides different and equal rewards. Fortunately, I can have both discs in my collection. I warmly recommend them to yours.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Berlioz, April 29, 2004

By 

Kele Agi "Agi" (New York City -Houston- Eastern Long Island) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Berlioz: Les Nuits d'été; Ravel; Debussy; Poulenc (Audio CD)

Regine Crespin is so clear, so subtle, you are drawn into the music and listen from within. With confidence, I recommend everything in her repetoire. Yes, many titles but most especially "La Spectre de la Rose" Unduplicated yet.

Kele Agi
New York, NY 2005