The Interpretation of French Song [Paperback]

Pierre Bernac (Author), Winifred Radford (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 2, 2002

First published in 1970, this work on the art of the French "melodie", is suitable for singers, accompanists and concert-goers alike. The book covers 18 composers, including Berlois, Gounod, Duparc, Chausson, Faure, Debussy, Ravel, Satie and Poulenc. Texts of nearly 200 songs are given in French, and also included are notes on pronunciation, and simple but detailed suggestions for performance and interpretation.

Editorial Reviews

Language Notes

Text: English, French (translation) --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Kahn & Averill Publishers (April 2, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1871082633
• ISBN-13: 978-1871082630
• Product Dimensions: 7.3 x 5.5 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.2 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #864,412 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Singers must have this book., November 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Interpretation of French Song (Norton Library) (Paperback)

A most necessary companion for singers of all levels preparing French song literature. Pierre Bernac is full of insightful interpretations of much of the standard French literature and some not-so-standard, as well. Excellent translations and detailed interpretations make the book an invaluable resource.

14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Interpretation of French Song, November 15, 2003

By 

Eileen Davis (Columbus, OH United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Interpretation of French Song (Norton Library) (Paperback)

Pierre Bernac's book is an invaluable resource for all classical singers, voice teachers and vocal coaches. His writing is eloquent and graceful and the facts he offers on French diction and song interpretation are easy to comprehend. The poems of major French poets, set to music by many foremost French composers, are analyzed with guidance on elision and liaison, breath points and interpretation.He also includes a poetic English translation of each poem. Having been fortunate enough to have worked with Pierre Bernac earlier in my singing career, I have complete confidence in his artistic thoughts on all aspects of diction and performance of the French mélodie. My book is falling apart after all these years and I will most certainly buy another! You voice students out there who are interested in performance-GET THIS BOOK!

Eileen Davis, Author of: Sing French, Diction for Singers

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good for native French singers too, May 8, 2008

By 

C. Orde "Corinne Orde" (England) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Interpretation of French Song (Paperback)

In the Foreword Bernac modestly says that the book "does not claim to be anything more than a guide for English-speaking singers who wish to study a repertoire which may not be very familiar to them". It is in fact far more than that, and French-speaking singers will find his suggestions for interpretation, tempo, expression and dynamics to be invaluable. He has an unerring instinct for when a song merits a few general comments for its interpretation and when it calls for a detailed phrase-by-phrase analysis. His choice of repertoire for inclusion in this relatively compact book is surprisingly comprehensive. Particularly useful are his suggestions for when to use the liaison (final consonants being sounded before a word that begins with a vowel, which happens more frequently in poetic language than in normal speech) and when not to. Liaisons are not always intuitive or obvious, even to those who were born and brought up in French.