Poèmes

( 2 )

Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Eddins
Apart from several Massenet operas, the music of French composers has never been central to Renée Fleming's recorded repertoire. This disc of French orchestral songs spanning more than a century, including Ravel's "Shéhérazade," Messiaen's "Poèmes pour Mi," and Dutilleux's " Sonnets de Jean Cassou" and "Le Temps l'horloge" (which Fleming premiered in 2009), demonstrates the singer's absolute mastery of the music and its idioms. Her affinity for the subtlety of the language is evident in her languid, sensual performance of "Shéhérazade." Fleming has not often been associated with modern music more progressive than André Previn's, but her performances of the Messiaen and ...
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Editorial Reviews

All Music Guide - Stephen Eddins
Apart from several Massenet operas, the music of French composers has never been central to Renée Fleming's recorded repertoire. This disc of French orchestral songs spanning more than a century, including Ravel's "Shéhérazade," Messiaen's "Poèmes pour Mi," and Dutilleux's " Sonnets de Jean Cassou" and "Le Temps l'horloge" (which Fleming premiered in 2009), demonstrates the singer's absolute mastery of the music and its idioms. Her affinity for the subtlety of the language is evident in her languid, sensual performance of "Shéhérazade." Fleming has not often been associated with modern music more progressive than André Previn's, but her performances of the Messiaen and Dutilleux offer proof of her remarkable versatility. Messiaen wrote "Poèmes pour Mi for grande soprano dramatique," which generally doesn't describe Fleming, but she draws on the luxuriant richness that she brings to Strauss to provide all the power and drama the songs call for. Messiaen doesn't make things easy for his singer, but Fleming is entirely persuasive in his treacherous, low-lying recitative (which she puts across with scary fierceness) as well his ecstatic, high-soaring arioso. This is especially evident in "Action des grâces," which begins with the first and ends with the second. The songs throb with Romantic passion but they are also are clearly products of the Messiaen's distinctive, sometimes brash, modernism and it's a measure of conductor Alan Gilbert's achievement that he doesn't stint on giving full expression to either strain. His balance of tenderness and ferocity, along with Fleming's luminous singing, makes this one of the most gripping recordings of the song cycle. Dutilleux, who wrote "Le Temps l'horloge" for the soprano between 2006 and 2009, knows how to make the voice sound fabulous and Fleming knows how to sell the songs, to bring the music to thrilling life. Seiji Ozawa leads Orchestra National de France in the live recording of the world premiere of that work. In the other pieces Gilbert conducts Orchestra Philharmonique de Radio France. The conductors and the players convey an embodied understanding of this music and perform it with vibrant energy and nuance. Decca's sound is impeccable and beautifully balanced. Highly recommended for Fleming's admirers and anyone who loves French vocal music.
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Product Details

  • Release Date: 3/6/2012
  • Label: Decca
  • UPC: 028947838593
  • Catalog Number: 001654302
  • Sales rank: 3,899

Tracks

Disc 1
  1. 1–3 Shéhérazade, poems (3) for soprano (or tenor) & orchestra (or piano) - Maurice Ravel & Maurice Ravel (18:45)
    Composed byMaurice Ravel, Maurice Ravel
    Conducted byAlan Gilbert
    Performed byRenée Fleming, Alan Gilbert, Orchestre Philharmonique D'lle De France
    1. 1 Asie
    2. 2 La Flûte enchantée
    3. 3 L'Indifférent
  2. 4–12 Poèmes pour Mi, song cycle for soprano & piano (or orchestra), I/17b - Olivier Messiaen & Olivier Messiaen (28:12)
    Composed byOlivier Messiaen, Olivier Messiaen
    Conducted byAlan Gilbert
    Performed byRenée Fleming, Alan Gilbert, Orchestre Philharmonique D'lle De France
    1. 4Premier Livre. 1. Action de grâces
    2. 5Premier Livre. 2. Paysage
    3. 6Premier Livre. 3. La Maison
    4. 7Premier Livre. 4. Épouvante
    5. 8Deuxième Livre. 5. L'Épouse
    6. 9Deuxième Livre. 6. Ta voix
    7. 10Deuxième Livre. 7. Les Deux Guerriers
    8. 11Deuxième Livre. 8. Le Collier
    9. 12Deuxième Livre. 9. Prière exaucée
  3. 13 Sonnets de Jean Cassou (3), for voice & piano or orchestra: 1. Il n'y avait que des troncs déchirés - Henri Dutilleux & Jean Cassou (2:18)
    Composed byHenri Dutilleux
    Conducted byAlan Gilbert
    Performed byRenée Fleming, Alan Gilbert, Orchestre Philharmonique D'lle De France
  4. 14 Sonnets de Jean Cassou (3), for voice & piano or orchestra: 2. J'ai rêvé que je vous portais entre mes bras - Henri Dutilleux & Jean Cassou (5:30)
    Composed byHenri Dutilleux
    Conducted byAlan Gilbert
    Performed byRenée Fleming, Alan Gilbert, Orchestre Philharmonique D'lle De France
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Album Credits

Performance Credits
Renée Fleming Primary Artist
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Customer Reviews

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Sort by: Showing all of 2 Customer Reviews

  • Posted May 9, 2013

    sucks

    sucks

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  • Anonymous

    Posted March 6, 2012

    No text was provided for this review.

Sort by: Showing all of 2 Customer Reviews