The complete songs of Duparc

"Henri Duparc had a long life, living to age 85, but for the last 50 years he was incapable of composing due to deteriorating health ... Today he is primarily remembered for his 16 solo songs, which are regarded as some of the most important examples of 19th century French song ... The present offering, masterminded by the indefatigable Malcolm Martineau, can definitely be the starting point for the curious. With four singers in the line-up, there is plenty of vocal variety. The lion's share of the songs is allotted to Sarah Connolly who, now in her late fifties, still has her voice in fine fettle ... Each song is a masterpiece in its own right, and it is a fascinating journey to follow in Duparc's footsteps: 16 songs in 16 years ... There are several complete recordings of Duparc's songs ... but the one under consideration is truly excellent, and to my mind the producer and Malcolm Martineau ... have chosen the ideal interpreter for each song".

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"Listening to Malcolm Martineau's album of Duparc's songs, I was reminded not only how extraordinary they are, but also just how dark Duparc's imagination could be on occasion. With their Wagnerian inflections and at times almost operatic weight, these are, of course, the songs that brought a new musical language and seriousness of purpose to the form in France, paving the way for so much that followed ... This is very much a recording in which we're aware of Duparc's edginess as well as his beauty ... There's a terrific and consistently persuasive grandeur and sweep in much of Martineau's playing here ... His singers by and large match his intensity".