Customer Reviews

Ian Bostridge - Songs of Faure, Debussy & Poulenc

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

 

 

Ian Bostridge continues to amaze us with his interpretive finesse, his ability to create moods and atmospheres in the music of composers from many schools, and in his extraordinary range and timbre of his 'tenor' voice.

This collection of works for voice and piano (and here Julius Drake is the distinctive collaborator - a fine pianist!) is from the French school. The works of Debussy and Poulenc are quintessentially French in sound and execution: when the tempi are brisk, Bostridge and Drake are crystalline and when the tempi are slow, they produce languid, dreamy, seamless tone.

The works of Faure include works for tenor and chamber ensemble and here the Belcea Quartet with Leon Bosch provide that floating though solidly formed tone that we so often associate with French orchestral works.

In all, this is a recital that is rich in content, dramatic in execution, and simply gorgeous singing from Ian Bostridge. Highly recommended. Grady Harp, March 05

I was beginning to have my doubts about Ian Bostridge, having only heard his Schubert and English Songbook, but this dispelled all misgivings about the timbre or strength of this great tenor's voice! Along with an almost ridiculous range, Bostridge has mastered both the soft, lyrical style which seems to be his trademark and a tight, insistent, powerful tone.
I'm not entitled, musically, to give any opinion about his execution of the three composers' works on here, but, after listening to the samples here, I can assure any prospective buyer (like myself) that this is a most astounding performance of such versatility that my estimation of Bostridge has risen -- as I didn't think was possible.

Fabulously planned choice and order of French songs coupled with a perfect, touching and engaging execution - a must have!

FRench music sung in a very English way - which I thought was a little different, but I like it a lot. Bostridge's voice is fabulous and his French is very good. A CD worth listening to - not too much wobble and fuss - as many other recordings seem to overflow with such nasty features. An absolute pleasure!

After having heard the wonderful tenor voice of Ian Bostridge, singing Schubert and Bach, how disappointed I have been, upon hearing my favorite tenor laboriously singing in French. I believe that the instruments do not help, either, as they seem to overpower Bostridge.
I believe that Bostridge shines with only a piano accompaniment; and he positively soars when singing in German. The range of his voice is wide and the timbre wondrous. He is made for Schubert and Bach. After having heard this French offering, I may not order his English CD. I don't want to spoil my enchantment with this tenor voice singing in German.