La pernette se leve, from Chansons du Folklore de France Play Play
Patrice Michaels
Soprano
Chicago Chamber Musicians
Ensemble
Recorded on 03/25/2002, uploaded on 04/01/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983):
Chansons du Folklore de France
Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians,
fifth edition, published in 1954, questioned the efficacy of Germaine
Tailleferre's gifts, describing her talent as "slender." Since then, opinions
of her work have become more favorable, although her music remains too little
heard. For one thing, the composer, a member of "Les Six" (together with
Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, and Francis
Poulenc) completed many significant works after 1954. For example, her 1981 Concerto
de la fidélité pour voix élevée et orchestre won the 1982 Prix de la Ville de
Paris. She also remained a force in pedagogy into her eighties.
Tailleferre's
arrangements of popular French songs transcend the usual genre but never
overburden the melodies with orchestrations or harmonizations that detract
from their vitality. The composer's work here sparkles with the clarity of a
perfectly cut gem stone. According to soprano Patrice Michaels, "the simple
melodies are underscored, overlaid, and reworked with wonderfully complex
harmonies, neatly and sparely orchestrated with an ensemble that seems at times
transparent and at times surprisingly rich." These songs offer no opportunities
for technical display, but rather test the singer's narrative gifts. Variety of
vocal color is required in songs such as La Pernette se lève, where a dialogue
between daughter and mother is in play. In these nine songs, life is often
hard; pleasures are simple and to be taken whenever opportunity knocks (L'autre
jour en m'y promenant). Tailleferre's knowing way of scoring for woodwinds is
everywhere evident. Whether plodding, marching, waltzing, or tripping along in
6/8 meter, the instruments propel in rhythmic figures as readily as they color
the more sustained cadences.
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.
Classical Music | Soprano
Germaine Tailleferre
La pernette se leve, from Chansons du Folklore de France Play
Recorded on 03/25/2002, uploaded on 04/01/2009
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Germaine Tailleferre (1892-1983):
Chansons du Folklore de France
Groves Dictionary of Music and Musicians, fifth edition, published in 1954, questioned the efficacy of Germaine Tailleferre's gifts, describing her talent as "slender." Since then, opinions of her work have become more favorable, although her music remains too little heard. For one thing, the composer, a member of "Les Six" (together with Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Arthur Honegger, Darius Milhaud, and Francis Poulenc) completed many significant works after 1954. For example, her 1981 Concerto de la fidélité pour voix élevée et orchestre won the 1982 Prix de la Ville de Paris. She also remained a force in pedagogy into her eighties.
Tailleferre's arrangements of popular French songs transcend the usual genre but never overburden the melodies with orchestrations or harmonizations that detract from their vitality. The composer's work here sparkles with the clarity of a perfectly cut gem stone. According to soprano Patrice Michaels, "the simple melodies are underscored, overlaid, and reworked with wonderfully complex harmonies, neatly and sparely orchestrated with an ensemble that seems at times transparent and at times surprisingly rich." These songs offer no opportunities for technical display, but rather test the singer's narrative gifts. Variety of vocal color is required in songs such as La Pernette se lève, where a dialogue between daughter and mother is in play. In these nine songs, life is often hard; pleasures are simple and to be taken whenever opportunity knocks (L'autre jour en m'y promenant). Tailleferre's knowing way of scoring for woodwinds is everywhere evident. Whether plodding, marching, waltzing, or tripping along in 6/8 meter, the instruments propel in rhythmic figures as readily as they color the more sustained cadences.
Classical Music for the Internet Era™
To purchase the CD or download this performance, click here.
Cedille Records is the recording label of The Chicago Classical Recording Foundation, a publicly-supported, not-for-profit, organization devoted to promoting the finest musicians, ensembles, and composers in the Chicago area by producing and releasing their efforts on audiophile-quality recordings. The recordings and their promotion are designed to stimulate interest in these performers and composers and bring their artistry to a wider audience. Cedille Records is also dedicated to promoting interest in neglected areas of the classical repertory by presenting masterpieces that have been overlooked by other recording companies.