In his notes for this CD, Jaroussky states that although counter-tenors are not usually associated with French melodies, he decided to sing this music when he found it was suited to his voice. The performances on this CD justify his decision. The songs mostly date from the last quarter of the 19th century and, as the notes observe, derive their inspiration from “the warmth of the conservatory and the silken and velvet draperies of the salon”.
Many songs of this type were once described by an English writer as “all atmosphere and no tune”, but Jaroussky has wisely chosen songs that do have some musical interest, even though it may sometimes be slight. Two of Saint-Saëns’s songs, ‘Tournoiement ‘Songe d’opium’’ and ‘Violons dans le soir’, evoke the very special savour of that era. After listening to the entire disc, one has the feeling of having spent an hour in a rather over-scented hothouse.
The only criticism of the program is that there are sometimes too many slow-moving songs in succession. Jaroussky’s voice is agreeable and of good quality and he is a careful musician who, as he states, has deliberately eschewed exaggerating the peculiar qualities of these songs. Unlike most counter-tenors, he sounds as if he is singing in his natural register and not falsetto. It is perhaps in keeping with the era that the overall effect is somewhat androgynous.
Emmanuel Pahud and the Capuçon brothers provide appropriate assistance, enhancing the fin de siècle atmosphere.
Comments
Log in to join the conversation.