The Songs of Chausson [The Hyperion French Song Edition] [CD]

When it comes to song-writing, Ernest Chausson has long stood in the shadows of Debussy, Duparc, Fauré and Ravel, but his gentle and self-effacing songs go so much further than the merely charming. To have the complete collection gathered together on disc is a treat, and with artists like these, the performances are about as good as you could expect this side of the pearly gates. Ann Murray and Felicity Lott need no introduction for their celestial singing of this repertoire. The American baritone Chris Pedro Trakas is less well known, but he comes with a clutch of top prizes and, more to the point, a beautifully sensitive voice which he uses to great effect here. Underpinning everything is accompanist Graham Johnson, whose playing is always just so right, whatever area of the song repertoire he takes on, and who provides (uncredited) a must-read essay on Chausson which really engages with the music. Soprano Geraldine McGreevy is a welcome addition in two duets, as is the Chilingirian Quartet, accompanying Ann Murray in the final number, "Chanson perpétuelle". If a reason for a reassessment of Chausson's role as a writer of mélodie is needed, this marvellous set is overwhelmingly it. --Keith Clarke

'Superb. Art is long, life is short, and this offering is very, very rich' (Fanfare, USA) 'To have the complete collection gathered together on disc is a treat, and with artists like these, the performances are about as good as you could expect this side of the pearly gates … If a reason for a reassessment of Chausson's role as a writer of mélodie is needed, this marvellous set is overwhelmingly it' (Amazon.co.uk) 'This is Hyperion at its best, presenting sensuous, exquisite performances … Dames Felicity Lott and Ann Murray generate magical artistry' (Music Week) 'Up to Hyperion's habitual high standard' (Gramophone) 'With this disc, the music of Chausson really does find revelatory new significance' (The Times) 'Felicity Lott…is radiant and unhurried and the pick of an excellent crop of singers' (BBC Music Magazine) 'Unlikely to be bettered' (www.musicweb) 'Editor, musicologist, impresario and pianist Graham Johnson gives us a jewel-box of essays, poems, time-lines, artwork, and Chausson's complete songs. And the performances are as magical and eloquent as the program book' --(Opera News)

Ernest Chausson's music has always seemed, to those who love it, a 'special case'. So ready are French-song enthusiasts to praise and celebrate Duparc and Fauré, Debussy and Ravel, that the quiet, self-effacing man hiding behind a beard is all too easily overlooked. These two compact discs contain all of Chausson's published solo songs (and two duets) for voice and piano, as well as the Chanson perpétuelle with string quartet. Also included are several unpublished songs transcribed from manuscript sources in the Bibliothèque Nationale. There are 43 songs altogether, several receiving their first recording. Dame Felicity Lott and Ann Murray need no introduction but the disc also represents the recording debut of baritone Chris Pedro Trakas who has won many plaudits for his concerts and operatic work in his native America.