Album

Soprano Sandrine Piau writes in the program notes that there is no narrative or theme unifying the songs on this album, only the quality they share of being evocative of something beyond themselves. The late Romantic songs are indeed understated and suggestive rather than emphatic, many written in elegiac moods of hushed happiness or subdued yearning. The centerpiece is Richard Strauss' four song cycle, Mädchenblumen, written when the composer was 26, which provided Piau with the initial inspiration for this collection. It's immensely appealing, and its generous lyricism makes it a work that deserves to be widely sung and known.

Piau's interpretations are revelatory, above reproach. Her voice is ideal for this repertoire—warm, but incisive when necessary, with velvety legato, flawless intonation and absolutely pristine tone. She expresses a genuine connection with the songs, singing with caressingly personal attention to the emotional colors of each. It's difficult to single out particular songs as highlights, since Piau's performances are of such a consistently high level of accomplishment. Some especially transcendent moments, though, are the places in the Strauss and Debussy songs where she floats ethereally in her highest register. Pianist Susan Manoff is a worthy partner, playing with sensitivity and finesse. Naïve's sound is warm and present, with excellent balance between Piau and Manoff. The CD should be of interest to fans of bel canto singing of the highest order, and of the late Romantic song repertoire.

© Stephen Eddins, Rovi

CD 1
Ernest Chausson Composer 7 Mélodies, Op. 2 Work 4:25 Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
1	6.Hébé	2:55			$0.99
2	2.Le Charme	1:30			$0.99
Ernest Chausson Composer 4 Mélodies, Op.13 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
3	2.Serenade	2:31			$0.99
Ernest Chausson Composer 7 Mélodies, Op. 2 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
4	7.Le Colibri	3:15			$0.99
Ernest Chausson Composer La tempête, incidental music for solo voices and small orchestra, Op.18 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
5	La tempête, incidental music for solo voices and small orchestra, Op.18	4:30			$0.99
Richard Strauss Composer Mädchenblumen, Op.22, TrV153 Work 11:21 Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
6	Kornblumen	2:15			$0.99
7	2.Mohnblumen ('Mohnblumen sind die runden)	1:27			$0.99
8	3.Epheu ('Aber Epheu nenn' ich jene Mädchen')	3:43			$0.99
9	4.Wasserrose	3:56			$0.99
Achille-Claude Debussy Composer Nuit d'étoiles, L.4 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
10	Nuit d'étoiles, L.4	3:04			$0.99
Achille-Claude Debussy Composer Romance ('L'âme evaporéee est souffrante'), L.79, no.1 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
11	Romance ('L'âme evaporéee est souffrante'), L.79, no.1	1:54			$0.99
Achille-Claude Debussy Composer Fleur des blés, L.7 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
12	Fleur des blés, L.7	1:57			$0.99
Achille-Claude Debussy Composer Zéphyr, L.12 Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
13	Zéphyr, L.12	1:25			$0.99
Alexander von Zemlinsky Composer Liebe und Frühling, for voice and piano Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
14	Liebe und Frühling, for voice and piano	1:41			$0.99
Alexander von Zemlinsky Composer Das Rosenband, for voice and piano Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
15	Das Rosenband, for voice and piano	1:39			$0.99
Alexander von Zemlinsky Composer Frühlingsglaube, for chorus and strings Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
16	Frühlingsglaube, for chorus and strings	1:38			$0.99
Alexander von Zemlinsky Composer Wandl' ich im Wald des Abends, for voice and piano Work Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
17	Wandl' ich im Wald des Abends, for voice and piano	2:17			$0.99
Alexander von Zemlinsky Composer 12 Songs, for voice and piano, Op.27 Work 2:41 Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
18	1.Entführung	1:17			$0.99
19	Sommer	1:24			$0.99
Charles Koechlin Composer Sept Chansons pour Gladys, for soprano and piano, Op.151 Work 9:45 Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
20	1.M'a dit Amour	1:15			$0.99
21	2.Tu croyais le tenir	0:42			$0.99
22	3.Prise au piège	1:12			$0.99
23	4.La Naïade	1:31			$0.99
24	5.Le Cyclone	1:39			$0.99
25	6.La Colombe	2:02			$0.99
26	7.Fatum	1:24			$0.99
Arnold Schoenberg Composer 4 Songs, for voice and piano, Op.2 Work 12:00 Didier Martin Director, Sandrine Piau Soprano, Susan Manoff Piano
27	1.Expectation (Erwartung)	3:45			$0.99
28	2.Give me thy golden comb (Schenk mir deinen goldenen Kamm) ('Jesus bettelt')	3:45			$0.99
29	3.Exaltation (Erhebung)	1:13			$0.99
30	4.The forest sun (Waldsonne)	3:17			$0.99