The art of French songs
When enjoying the art of French songs, we cannot leave out the exquisite song cycle of Les Nuits d’Été from Hector Berlioz (image). This early work of the great romanticist was a milestone for the French song in the 19th century. It has always stayed in the concert repertoires, especially because of the brilliant orchestration he made from the piano arrangement. The Finnish soprano Soile Isokoski shines in her performance together with the Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by its regular conductor John Storgårds (who is also Finnish).
A more intimate setting is created with the English soprano Carolyn Sampson, singing La Bonne Chanson from Gabriel Fauré. This through and through French cycle, based on texts from Verlaine, takes us to another summer evening, to a small stage in Paris or Bordeaux.
We finish with two songs, one from the lesser known Charles Bordes and one from Fauré, performed by the young English duo Sampson & Middleton.
Playlist:
- Hector Berlioz – Les Nuits d’Été. Op.7
Helsinki Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by John Storgårds
- Gabriel Fauré – La Bonne Chanson
Carolyn Sampson, soprano / Joseph Middleton, piano
- Charles Bordes – Colloque Sentimentale
Carolyn Sampson, soprano / Joseph Middleton, piano
- Gabriel Fauré – Clair de Lune
Carolyn Sampson, soprano / Joseph Middleton, piano
