Customer Reviews

The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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5-stars just for being in print.

A rare and superb set; ignore the 1-star review.
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Truly a great recording - sung by outstanding artists, especially Felicity Lott, and accompanied by Graham Johnson in his best form..... The music is truly glorious and the recording is a revelation with many beautiful nuances. A total joy!!!

I picked this CD up because I love the melodie in general and Chausson in particular. What a pity that the performances can't hold a candle to the composer's inspiration. Felicity Lott is her usual shrill self, Ann Murray is even more wobbly and out-of-line than usual, Chris Trakas has no lower range and a pinched top, and Geraldine McGreevy sings as if she had a beautiful voice, which she most emphatically does not. All of these artists are woefully out of tune, which sits particularly unpleasantly on the ear in the chromatic universe of Chausson. As for Graham Johnson, the less said the better. There are those who think he is a fine accompanist and pianist. Fine. Let them think so. They must be deaf or have short memories. If one wants to hear great performances of French rep, turn to young Souzay, with Jacqueline Bonneau on a deleted Decca CD. This is rarified music, but these people have not the technique to do it justice.