Customer Reviews

Joseph Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne

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It seems that every lyric soprano of note eventually makes a recording of Joseph Canteloube's 'Songs of the Auvergne,' and no wonder: they are colorful and tuneful and have absolutely gorgeous orchestral settings. I've never met anyone, including non-aficionados of classical music, who didn't respond positively to them. They are to orchestral songs what Vivaldi's 'The Four Seasons' are to violin concertos--a sure-fire hit. Going back to Madeleine Grey and Natania Davrath, through Anna Moffo, the divine Victoria de los Angeles, Kiri te Kanawa, Frederica von Stade and on, I've never heard a bad performance of them. (Barbra Streisand even recorded one of them, 'Brezairola,' on her 'Classical Barbra' album, and not badly, either!) Some are better than others, largely because they not only require superb vocal technique but also a willingness to let some peasant roughness intrude into the singer's tone; some are unwilling or unable to do that. Here we have Véronique Gens, known to us primarily for her impeccable performances in Baroque works and in Mozart, singing these gems virtually perfectly, with the right combination of lyric beauty and earthiness. She has, like many others, made a selection from the 'Chants'; the full set would take two CDs.

One reason these songs are so popular is that Canteloube set them in brilliant orchestrations featuring creative use of solo winds and sparkling piano obbligato. Poor Canteloube never again came close to the popularity of these settings although he produced a moderately large body of other works, including other song settings and two operas most people never heard of. And, from the sound of it, his orchestrations are virtually performance-proof; I've never heard a bad performance, and that even includes a college production.

What of these specific performances? Gens is a consummate artist and she mixes both the innocent frustration of, say, 'Baïlèro,' where the shepherd girl is separated by an impassable river from her potential swain, to pastoral piquancy in 'Lo Calhé,' sung to a quail. In the sultry, even erotic, songs she seduces with luscious tones. In the lullaby, 'Brezairola,' she croons to her baby in such lovely tones that the listener is, as well, lulled into a reverie. In 'Oï ayaï' she adopts a sassy mocking tone appropriate to a teasing Carmen; delightful! Through all of these songs Jean-Claude Casadesus leads the Orchestre National de Lille in an alternately delicate or rollicking accompaniment to the singer.

This is an outstanding release, and particularly so for its budget pricing.

TT=61:25

Scott Morrison

This CD is a wonderful refreshment, a fountain of youth a by far the best value I have ever gotten for around $6.

Chants d'Auvergne is one if these cases where the work exceeds the reputation of the composer. Veronique Gens is extraordinary, and the Orchestre de Lille plays with magnificient expression and sensitivity.

This CD is an absolute feast. At arms length the best any classical music fan ever expect.

Buy it!

This is the best performance of these songs I have ever heard. Having spent thirty years in classical music radio as an engineer, producer and announcer that is saying a lot. The recordings are very good and the performances are exquisite. This is the one to buy.

Joseph Canteloube(1879-1957)paints frescos in music for soprano voice and full orchestra. This latest Naxos sampling collects 21 short folk songs inspired by the people and the lush countryside of the culturally autonomous Auvergne province of France. This the area of Canteloube's upbringing. For sure his subject matter is thin. Soprano Veronique Gens(a native of the region) bellows out lyrics such as for a hunchback trying to rid himself of his hump or inquiring what a quail has in her nest, and so on. Gens brings the whole thing off along with Jean-Claude Casadesus and the Orchestra National de Lille's support. These expertly crafted instrumental arrangements of what are little more than nursery rhymes would have made Mahler proud! Much is attributed to the engineers and the hi-def detailed atmospheric sound. Canteloube never acheived fame as a composer during his lifetime. The Chants are derived from a series of folk-song publications dating from 1924-1955. Their popularity will assure Canteloube an eternal place in the catalogue. Volume 2 is now available, for those who feel they need it!

Everything is right about this recording! Gens makes all the right interpretative choices for each different song without ever going over the top or resorting to cloying romanticism. The orchestra is her perfect partner, the sound is above average and you can't beat the price for this kind of value. The only problem was that it ended too soon...

Joseph Canteloube's CHANTS D' AUVERGNE have been recorded by some of the great sopranos of the 20th/21st century by the likes of Victoria de los Angeles, Regine Crespin, Renee Fleming, and perhaps most notably Kiri Te Kanawa. These French folk songs, arranged for soloist and orchestra, are perfect for the soprano voice. While Veronique Gens may not be as well known as her more famous colleagues who have tackled the songs, she does an admiral job on this recording. The Orchestre National de Lille under the direction of veteran conductor Jean-Claude Casadesus accompanies Ms. Gens beautifully, always complementing and nerve overpowering. Of course, like other Naxos recordings, this collection is more than worth the price.