Roderick Williams & Roger Vignoles – Mirages: The Art of French Song (2022) [FLAC 24bit/192kHz]

In their latest release for Champs Hill Records, distinguished baritone Roderick Williams and acclaimed pianist Roger Vignoles join forces once again to offer a stunning recording, this time inspired by their critically acclaimed Wigmore Hall recital of French Song. Williams and Vignoles guide the listener through much-loved and lesser-known songs by the most celebrated French song composers, and others perhaps less well-known to English audiences. ‘One of the particular joys of recording for Champs Hill is to be allowed to programme discs with freedom,’ comments Williams. ‘We assembled the programme as one would a recital programme, contrasting the delicate austerity of late Faureģ with the rich sonority of Caplet. We hoped the resulting shape would resemble an evening’s song recital, in which the first half begins gently, grows into something more voluptuous before finishing with a riotous drinking song to lead to the interval; the second begins with a challenging contemporary piece before the reward of great fun, and the whole evening ends with hilarity, mischief and bravura. And not to forget a brief encore, a nod to the most quintessential of French early-twentieth-century composers. To create and record this programme in such charming, relaxed surroundings was a treat; we hope you will enjoy listening in the same quixotic mood.’

Williams and Vignoles’ prior releases for Champs Hill include Brahms’ only song cycle, Die Schone Magelone (2017, CHR108). BBC Music Magazine said: ‘Williams delivers the narration naturally, while proving once again to be a thoughtful exponent of sung text, an interpreter consistently attentive to its meaning. As an accompanist, Vignoles is every bit as engaged, his delicate and resourceful playing joining with Williams’ vocalism to point up significant detail. ‘Prior to this, Williams and Vignoles joined Joan Rodgers CBE to present Wolf’s Italian songbook (2013, CHR054). In their review, Gramophone commented: ‘Inspired by Vignoles humorous relish and luminous delivery of touch, Rodgers and Williams form a persuasive duo.’

Tracklist:
1-01. Roderick Williams – Mirages, Op. 113: I. Cygne sur l’eau (03:18)
1-02. Roderick Williams – Mirages, Op. 113: II. Reflets dans l’eau (04:35)
1-03. Roderick Williams – Mirages, Op. 113: III. Jardin nocturne (03:00)
1-04. Roderick Williams – Mirages, Op. 113: IV. Danseuse (02:46)
1-05. Roderick Williams – 5 Ballades Françaises: I. Cloche d’aube (04:29)
1-06. Roderick Williams – 5 Ballades Françaises: II. La Ronde (01:23)
1-07. Roderick Williams – 5 Ballades Françaises: III. Notre chaumière en Yveline (02:37)
1-08. Roderick Williams – 5 Ballades Françaises: IV. Songe d’une nuit d’été (02:28)
1-09. Roderick Williams – 5 Ballades Françaises: V. L’adieu en barque (04:09)
1-10. Roderick Williams – Petits cours de morale: I. Jeanne (00:35)
1-11. Roderick Williams – Petits cours de morale: II. Adèle (00:45)
1-12. Roderick Williams – Petits cours de morale: III. Cécile (00:58)
1-13. Roderick Williams – Petits cours de morale: IV. Irène (00:52)
1-14. Roderick Williams – Petits cours de morale: V. Rosemonde (01:08)
1-15. Roderick Williams – Don Quichotte à Dulcinée: I. Chanson Romanesque (01:56)
1-16. Roderick Williams – Don Quichotte a Dulcinée: II. Chanson Épique (02:56)
1-17. Roderick Williams – Don Quichotte a Dulcinée: III. Chanson à boire (01:55)
1-18. Roderick Williams – Les ténèbres de l’amour: I. La dure épreuve va finir (03:23)
1-19. Roderick Williams – Les ténebres de l’amour: II. Va, chanson à tire-d’aile (03:07)
1-20. Roderick Williams – Les ténebres de l’amour: III. Hier, on parlait de choses et d’autres (04:52)
1-21. Roderick Williams – Les ténebres de l’amour: IV. Nous sommes en les temps infâmes (02:40)
1-22. Roderick Williams – Saluste du Bartas: I. Le château du Bartas (01:10)
1-23. Roderick Williams – Saluste du Bartas: II. Tout le long de la Baïse (01:26)
1-24. Roderick Williams – Saluste du Bartas: III. Le départ (01:10)
1-25. Roderick Williams – Saluste du Bartas: IV. Le promenade (01:30)
1-26. Roderick Williams – Saluste du Bartas: V. Nérac en fête (00:49)
1-27. Roderick Williams – Saluste du Bartas: VI. Duo (02:00)
1-28. Roderick Williams – 2 poèmes d’Apollinaire, Op. 94: I. Dans le jardin d’Anna (03:05)
1-29. Roderick Williams – 2 poèmes d’Apollinaire, Op. 94: II. Allons plus vite (02:57)
1-30. Roderick Williams – Parisiana, Op. 157: I. Jouer du bugle (01:23)
1-31. Roderick Williams – Parisiana, Op. 157: II. Vous n’écrivez plus? (00:54)
1-32. Roderick Williams – Beau soir (02:30)

Download:

mqs.link_R0derickWilliamsR0gerVign0lesMiragesTheArt0fFrenchS0ng202224192.part1.rar
mqs.link_R0derickWilliamsR0gerVign0lesMiragesTheArt0fFrenchS0ng202224192.part2.rar

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