Search - Edmond Clement :: Complete Odeon & Victor Recordings (1905 1911-13)

A unique French stylist

Charlus | NYC | 12/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Romophone has also issued Clément's later, post World War I Pathés, which are magnificent artistically but less that state-of-the-art technologically. From the standpoint of recording technique, these are Clément's best disks and, thanks to Ward Marston's légerdemain, this unique artist's legacy can be heard as never before.



Edmond Clément (1867-1928) was simply the greatest French lyric tenor. Not that his light, clear voice is particularly remarquable. What IS remarquable is his manner, the wistful poetry of his phrasing, the ineffable taste of his interpretations, that crystal-clear, uncannily poised sense of the French language, every syllable perfectly perched within the musical tone. These records ought to be required listening for all those ill-trained and misdirected modern singers which simply fail to make any contact with this kind of music: it is not the music's fault, but theirs -- and their teachers'."