Poèmes d'un jour

"Editor's choices - March 2019: I've a feeling I'll be raving about another, very different Kerner-Lieder in these pages next month, but I couldn't let this tremendous live account of Schumann's song-cycle from Paris's Théâtre de l'Athénée last December go unnoticed: it's the first time I've heard Dégout in German repertoire, and he and Lepper are on mesmerising form here, brawny and exuberant in the more extrovert songs, and exquisitely tender in the cloistered intimacy of Stirb', Lieb un Freud'!. Dichterliebe next, please".

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"My expectations were high when the disc arrived and after playing just a few bars of Fauré's Aurore I knew that my expectations wouldn't come to nought. His voice has obviously filled out and become slightly darker - at least this was the initial impression. It is a powerful voice, but it is very flexible and he is able to express a wide pallet of moods and feelings ... If I pick two songs as outstanding it's only because they happen to be my personal favourites: 'Sehnsucht nach der Waldgegend' and 'Auf das Trinkglas eines verstorbenen Freundes' ... For the encore Degout returns to Brahms and the delicious Lerchengesang, which concludes a very attractive programme splendidly performed by singer and pianist alike".

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"Once more it is difficult to resist saying that Fauré's ultrasensitive and personal idiom is hardly for earthbound listeners ... All admirers of a still misunderstood composer will want to add this recital to their collection".

"Editor's choice: The qualities one values so much in Degout's Fauré - the integration of text and line, his almost instinctive use of colour and dynamics, the uncompromising directness of expression - are those that also make his Brahms and Schumann so utterly compelling ... None of it would be quite so overwhelming, though, without Lepper. This is very much a partnership of equals ... This is a great recital, and you need to hear it".