A delightful surprise as Leoncavallo spreads his wings beyon
Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 03/08/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"A delightful surprise. The packaging of Domingo and Lang Lang smacks of commercialism, but I doubt that this album would have had a chance without them. If any composer is known solely by a single work, it's Leoncavallo, and even though Pagliacci shows every sign of immortality, it has never been as esteemed musically as its stable mate, Mascagni's Cavalleria rusticana. Here, Leoncavallo sounds like a composer with a wider range. The materials of his "symphonic poem for tenor and orchestra" are a series of fervently romantic songs dressed up in luscious orchestrations, with some stormy orchestral interlude in between. About half I would say approach the status of full-blown arias. The prominent use of the mandolin at the outset ushers us into the summery world of Tosti and popular Italian song generally. It all falls engagingly on the ear. I wonder why "Nuit de mai" never enjoyed any real popularity?
Domingo is in amazingly good voice for someone who has morphed himself into a sometime baritone as he ages. But the vocal range here isn't technically taxing (the soaring sixth movement being a notable exception). All but the highest notes are totally secure and beautiful. One marvels at how phonogenic Domingo's voice remains. What's mainly required is a feeling for ardent verismo style, and he certainly possesses that. The singer's commitment goes far beyond a run-through by a star tenor to please his record company. The amorous texts, varying from dreamy to fervent, by Alfred de Musset are delivered in good-enough French, but fluency hardly matters. The soul of this work is thoroughly Italian. Conductor, orchestra, and recorded sound are fine.
The disc is filled out with five songs and two solo piano diversions by Leoncavallo, for which Lang Lang has been drawn in (he had a free hour in his schedule and ,of course, is well known for his abilities accompanying Italian song). These songs are in the vein of Tosti but with a more verismo slant as they heat up. The ardent 'Hymne a la lyre' is especially heartfelt and will make many listener's think agreeably of Chenier's final aria, "Come n bel di di maggio." Lang Lang does a lovely job and ends the album with elegant, restrained readings of a charming barcarolle and waltz.
In all, this is my nomination for the album from which I expected the least and gained the most."
A poet's melancholy night in May.
S. Erickson | 04/03/2010
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This new release has given me great pleasure. As the first impression, the cover is attractive and befitting the title work. "La Nuit de mai" is a dialogue between a Poet and his Muse, with the orchestra articulating the text for the Muse, and the tenor Poet responding at intervals. The music often conjures up the fragrant breezes of a blooming spring night but there are shades of sorrow reflecting the poet's bitter unhappiness. It is a beautiful night of intense grief. The music is effectively atmospheric and there are passages which can pierce the heart or express great tenderness, bleak loneliness, the thrill of adventure... It's quite the ride and is capped by the Poet's horrified outcry against the personal demands of his art.
Domingo, his voice as compelling as ever, imbues the part of the Poet with an almost childlike openness of soul, inviting us to share in the feelings of disquietude, sharp fear, relief, exultation, adoring admiration, defiant bitterness and unbearable pain. There is something extra special about all his work in these latter years (2007 on this disc). Voice and heart together have become so utterly exposed, so true. A beautiful thing.
I am grateful, too, that Domingo helps bring such rarities as this to light. Why not try something new? Leoncavallo's "Pagliacci" is a very dear, very pungent opera and it keeps its own place, in my affections, alongside all the greats of Verdi or Wagner. Now, having heard "Nuit de mai", I may never hear the opera without a thought for this earlier manifestation of the theme of public demand for the deepest feelings of the artist (whether poet or clown! or singer??). For, the "Entrance of the Clowns" in the opera is taken right out of "Nuit de mai" and the rather brutal association in "Nuit" lends something of tragic horror to the already comic/grotesque clamor as the crowd hails the clowns' arrival. I think the music actually works better in "Pagliacci" but it is fascinating to be aware of its history and earlier imagery for the composer.
Then, for any tenor who may envy Silvio's passionate appeal to Nedda, there is "La Chanson des Yeux" to his music. I love having all these songs with piano: quite a treat to round out the disc. (Puts me in mind of those by Puccini; there is a lovely album of them sung by Domingo, with piano: "The Unknown Puccini"). Domingo makes his sensitive commitment felt in each song, saving the most introspective one for last. A couple of charming, light piano pieces close this wonderful program.
Liner notes include a nice essay and all texts in original language and English.
I just noticed Leoncavallo's I Medici is due to release in June 2010, again with Domingo. Looking forward to that!"
A wonderful symphonic poem by a veteran interpretor of Leonc
Abel | Hong Kong | 04/19/2010
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Placido Domingo is a pure wonder.
I remember his Il Pagliacci well - sung with the immaculate Teresa Stratas and Feodora Barbieri.
As 'King of Verismo', PD now ventures into genre of vocal works by Leoncavallo beyond his opera Il Pgaliacci.
The first work in this album is exceedingly well brought out, being recorded in January 2007. PD is in very good voice. You'd not believe that he was already 66 when he recorded this. The orchestra is luscious throughout.
The next bundle is a group of short compositions by Leoncavallo.
I wonder why it has taken DG 3 long years before releasing this album. And one overriding reason is probably because Lang Lang has already left DG for Sony, since it was Lang Lang who accompanied PD in this group of songs, to be rounded off by two short piano pieces, one barcarolle and one waltz.
PD's voice in this group of short songs did not fare as well as in the symphonic poem recorded half a year earlier. Probably, for 'big' voices, to sing exposed solo songs accompanied by a pianoforte is a real challenge (see Jonas Kaufmann's recent daring attempt at the recording of 'Die Schone Mullerin'). And in this group, PD is not aided by Lang Lang.
Still, a rare gem of a recording by one of the most endearing artist of all times."
Track Listings (19) - Disc #1