Album

Paul Groves' and pianist Roger Vignoles' nearly complete survey of the songs of Henri Duparc is a better-than-average addition to Naxos' expansive catalog. Vignoles is an old pro in this repertory, having already recorded all of the Duparc songs with Thomas Allen and Sarah Walker on Hyperion in the 1980s. His playing is subtly textured and stylistic, and its gravity shapes these often sprawling songs into coherent dramas in miniature, even if the stormier poems, like "Testament," could use a more full-blooded touch. Groves is less consistent, singing with polish and commitment on some songs, but sounding more rough-hewn and slightly off-kilter in others, as if he's changing his mind about vocal and musical choices mid-phrase. Also, his treatment of the French language won't please native speakers. Nevertheless, he's well suited to these songs overall, and does a better job than most singers of single-handedly tackling the vocal demands and range of expression that Duparc's small but imposing output covers. Groves is at his best in more contemplative moments, like opening phrases of "Soupir," where he finds a haunting mixed-voice quality that suits the poem perfectly. Overall, this album represents an excellent value, and a good introduction to the composer's songs.

© Allen Schrott, All Music Guide

CD 1
Henri Duparc Composer Sérénade ('Si j'étais, ô mon amoureuse'), Op.2, No.2 Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
1	Sérénade ('Si j'étais, ô mon amoureuse'), Op.2, No.2	2:19			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Chanson triste, Op.2, No.4 ('Dans ton coeur') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
2	Chanson triste, Op.2, No.4 ('Dans ton coeur')	3:30			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Le manoir de Rosamonde ('De sa dent soudaine et vorace') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
3	Le manoir de Rosamonde ('De sa dent soudaine et vorace')	2:44			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer L'invitation au voyage ('Mon enfant, ma soeur') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
4	L'invitation au voyage ('Mon enfant, ma soeur')	4:37			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Phidylé Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
5	Phidylé	5:10			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Testament Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
6	Testament	3:42			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Sérénade Florentine ('Étoile dont la beauté luit') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
7	Sérénade Florentine ('Étoile dont la beauté luit')	2:26			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Soupir, Op.2, No.1 ('Ne jamais la voir') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
8	Soupir, Op.2, No.1 ('Ne jamais la voir')	3:20			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer La vague et la cloche ('Une fois, terrassé par un puissant breuvage') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
9	La vague et la cloche ('Une fois, terrassé par un puissant breuvage')	5:16			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Extase ('Sur un lys pâle') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
10	Extase ('Sur un lys pâle')	3:17			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer La vie antérieure ('J'ai longtemps habité') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
11	La vie antérieure ('J'ai longtemps habité')	4:23			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Le Galop, Op.2, No.5 Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
12	Le Galop, Op.2, No.5	3:10			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Lamento ('Connaissez-vous la blanche tombe') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
13	Lamento ('Connaissez-vous la blanche tombe')	3:27			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer Elégie ('Oh! ne murmurez pas son nom!') Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Paul Groves Tenor
14	Elégie ('Oh! ne murmurez pas son nom!')	3:11			$0.99
Henri Duparc Composer La Fuite, song for 2 voices and piano (or orchestra), Op.2, No.6 Work Roger Vignoles Piano, Emily Pulley Soprano, Paul Groves Tenor
15	La Fuite, song for 2 voices and piano (or orchestra), Op.2, No.6	3:50			$0.99