Chabrier: Songs

This entrancing pair of CDs is going to give much joy. They contain all of the songs of Emmanuel Chabrier (43 of them) including his 16 settings of Les plus jolis chansons du pays de France, never before recorded. Also included is the hilarious Duet of the usherette from the Opera-Comique and the salesman from Le Bon Marché, and the wonderful Ode to Music for soprano and female choir, the opening words of which provide the title of this set.

As to singers, there are five of them, all obviously enjoying themselves, and a bassoon in Chabrier's setting of L'Invitation au voyage (which would be much better known if his friend Duparc hadn't written his masterpiece just beforehand).

Graham Johnson writes of this music: "There is no one like him, this adorable man, and nothing in French song, indeed in all music, which is quite like his music.” 'Musique adorable' indeed!

CDA67133/4  151 minutes 27 seconds (2 discs)
DIAPASON D'OR
‘[A] real treasure of a treasury’ (BBC Music Magazine)
‘I cannot begin to tell you what delights await you on these discs … irresistible gems of melody, wit and tenderness. The enterprise has clearly been a labour of love for all involved’ (The Sunda ...
‘Here is something so joyous and heart-warming that it's difficult to know where to start … anyone with a love of French music and poetry will find this a knock-out pleasure’ (International Recor ...