Search - Canteloube, Emmanuel, Upshaw :: Chants D'Auvergne / Chansons Bourguignonnes

Delightfully refreshing and a very good value

L. C. Gasper | 02/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If my memory serves well, before receiving this set I had never heard the whole of Canteloube's Chants d'Auvergne. Certainly I don't have sufficient familiarity with the work or the available recordings of it to offer any comparative comments one could rely on. Before buying this particular recording I spent some time listening to the clips of various recordings offered by Amazon. I liked the Upshaw-Nagano version best and have not been disappointed by the full recording. Without being at all superficial, this performance is delightfully refreshing. The set of two disks is very good value for the money."

A voice teacher and early music fan

George Peabody | Planet Earth | 02/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"THIS MUSIC IS HIGHLY DESCRIPTIVE ENHANCED MUCH BY THE SOPRANO'S VARIANCE IN TONE QUALITY AND THE INGENIUS INSTRUMENTAL WRITING BY CANTELOUBE.



Joseph Canteloube (1879-1957) first began collecting and harmonizing the folksongs of the Auvergne in 1908, and in 1923 the first of the 'Chants d'Auvergne' was composed. For some years these songs were firmly established as a landmark in the French repertoire of songs for voice and orchestra, skillfully done, and an excellent vehicle for displaying the soprano voice.



Canteloube was educated at the conservatory 'Schola Cantorum', and studied there in 1902 with Vincent d'Indy in Paris. D'Indy's most important contribution to Canteloube's education was the rigorous technical training he provided, particularly emphasizing harmony and form.



D'Indy thus revealed to him "the power and purity of musical and poetic sources that spontaneously emanate from the earth; dances and popular songs, legends and rustic dances". All this can be ascertained in Cantelouble's 'Chants of the Auvergne'.



There are two that I will mention (because they are my favorites) from this group on the disc and are completely different from each other. "Lou Bossu" which is the rather cruel story of a hunchback who is attracted to a lovely young girl and approaches her for some kind of contact; she, in turn, teases him by faining interest until she finally totally rejects his advances. The phrases are in simple metrical style with the singer portraying both characters. Dawn Upshaw does this exceptionally well, and the orchestral accompaniment supports her and the text. Just a really interesting rendition.



The "Brezairola" (Berceuse) begins luxuriantly with its high violin solo duetting with various wind instruments behind, rather than in between, the song. This melody is one of the most beautiful tunes that I personally have ever encountered, and Upshaw does it justice.

This is a disc worth hearing if you like the classical folk tune experience, and it's all first-rate."

Excellent Listening

B. Marold | Bethlehem, PA United States | 04/24/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"'Songs of the Auvergne' by Soprano Dawn Upshaw and the Orchestre de L'Opera de Lyon, directed by Kent Nagano seems to be exactly toe sort of material for which Upshaw is best suited. Whenever I compare her singing of popular show songs or heavier operatic works to masters in these fields, she seems to come up a bit short. Here, however, she makes these songs come alive as well as anyone I can think of.



While I can't resist the thought that somehow, these songs are about eggplant (aubergines), I seem to find even greater pleasure in the material than if it had a less interesting name.



Very, very good listening."