Poulenc: Deux poèmes de Louis Aragon

“These singers have come up with some of the most absorbing recorded experiences of a composer who, for all his unmistakable voice, had an extraordinarily broad range of expression and poetic choices...Jonathan Lemalu has two cameos, embodying solemnity and wry fun...Martineau is the binding presence as he responds to both songs and singers with a transparent understanding of character.” BBC Music Magazine, September 2011 ****

“[Lott's] artistry and feeling for the French language remain as impressive as ever...Best of all perhaps are the two miniature cycles: first Tel jour, telle nuit, nine songs to words by Paul Eluard, beautifully sung by Felicity Lott. The other cycle, Le travail du peintre, fascinatingly gives us Poulenc's reaction to seven painters...Signum again provides excellent notes by Roger Nicholls and full texts and translations.” Gramophone Magazine, October 2011

“[Toreador] is finely sung here by Christopher Maltman and Martineau captures the colours and mischief of the piano part very nicely...[Deux Poèmes de Guillaume Apollinaire] are taken by Robert Murray and the rapid-fire setting of the first song reveals a singer who is able to get around this tricky piece very efficiently...The recordings all have a fine natural balance between voice and piano” International Record Review, September 2011

“This record will enchant you. Best of the Month” Hi-Fi News

“Interpretation of Poulenc's songs never stands still. But this recording reminds us of the impetus these artists gave to this repertoire, both in sound and imagination.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2011 *****

“One of the many joys of this fine disc is the absolute refusal of either singer or accompanist either to wallow in sentiment or to indulge in wayward self-promotion. Karina Gauvin's voice is one of rare beauty, with a high register fully integrated with the middle...Not all virtuoso pianists can accompany sensitively, but Marc-André Hamelin is superb - technically impeccable and with a wide tonal range.” BBC Music Magazine, May 2011 *****

“Karina Gauvin is a remarkable Canadian soprano with a wonderfully fresh and firm voice. Francophone herself, she is ideally suited to sing this ambitious collection of French songs, perfectly supported by pianist Marc-Andre Hamelin...Altogether a most satisfying recital, not just superbly performed but very well recorded, if with the balance slightly favouring the singer.” Gramophone Magazine, July 2011

“If this disc is something of a calling-card...then it highlights on the part of the singer both an evident sympathy with this French repertoire and a sharp musical intelligence at work...hardly surprisingly, Marc-André Hamelin dispatches even the trickiest of all the accompaniments with ease, even nonchalance: this is luxury casting.” International Record Review, April 2011

Ravishing singing and sultry colours make this coupling irresistable: you may favour Janet Baker's very different approach but I've adored this recording for 30 years - James Jolly, Gramophone 1000th issue

“With recent recordings by Bernarda Fink, Susan Graham, Felicity Lott, there has been no shortage of Shéhérazades for our 21st century. But back in 1963 Régine Crespine recorded a performance that recreated Ravel's score in unsurpassed truthfulness of letter and spirit.” BBC Music Magazine, November 2007

“Scandalously available only as a download in many countries, Crespin's Nuits dété has always been the interpretation by which others have been assessed and, listening to it again, there's no reason to challenge the verdict.
Sultry, langourous yet sung with a richness of tone, this is a classic version this ravishing work. Ansermet accompanies exquisitely.” Gramophone Classical Music Guide, 2010

“Consistently refined and idiomatic performances...Lott is a stylist par excellence and her sympathy for and affinity with the songs of Poulenc is long-standing.” Penguin Guide, 2011 edition