Description
Mélodies Françaises – A French Song Collection – Gérard Souzay · Dalton Baldwin 4xCD
UPC: 8718247710072
MPN: 8802007
Brand Name: Newton Classics
Overview
This monumental 4-CD Newton Classics collection, Mélodies Françaises: A French Song Collection, celebrates the rich legacy of the French art song (mélodie), performed by the legendary baritone Gérard Souzay with his longtime pianist and musical partner Dalton Baldwin.
Spanning recordings from 1960–1968, this compilation gathers more than four and a half hours of music by the greatest masters of French vocal lyricism — Fauré, Poulenc, Ravel, Duparc, Hahn, Gounod, Chabrier, Bizet, Franck, Roussel, and others.
Souzay’s expressive baritone and Baldwin’s poetic accompaniment form an intimate dialogue between voice and piano that defines the golden age of the French mélodie.
Product Features
- Format: 4 Compact Discs (ADD Stereo)
- Total Duration: 288′28″
- Recording Dates: 1960–1968
- Recording Location: Paris and London Studios
- Producer: Universal International Music B.V.
- Compilation Release: 1994; Reissue 2010 by Newton Classics
- Genre: Classical / Vocal
- Style: French Mélodie / Romantic & Impressionist Song
- Label: Newton Classics B.V.
- Country of Manufacture: European Union
- Art Direction & Design: Jan Martin Wilschut, Amsterdam Hotsprings
- Cover Image: Claude Poirier / Lebrecht / HH
- Sung Texts: Available as downloadable PDF booklet (in French with translations)
Interesting Facts
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A Golden Duo of French Song Gérard Souzay and Dalton Baldwin are universally regarded as the definitive interpreters of the French mélodie, their partnership spanning decades of international recitals and recordings.
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A Century of French Poetry and Music From Fauré’s introspective lyricism to Poulenc’s wit, Duparc’s sensual harmonies, and Hahn’s nostalgic elegance, these recordings trace the evolution of French song across a century.
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The Voice of a Generation Souzay’s supple phrasing and emotional refinement influenced generations of singers, setting a timeless standard for musical diction and interpretive depth.
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Restored and Remastered Expertly remastered from Universal’s archives, these analog recordings retain their warmth and clarity, preserving both historical authenticity and sonic intimacy.
Track Listing (Highlights)
CD 1 – 72′34″
Gabriel Fauré (1845–1924)
- Poème d’un jour
- Les Berceaux, Le Secret, Aurore, Prison, Soir, Madrigal, La Bonne Chanson, and more
CD 2 – 76′59″
Gabriel Fauré – La Chanson d’Eve, Le Jardin clos, Mirages, L’Horizon chimérique Francis Poulenc (1899–1963) – Chansons villageoises, Calligrammes, Le Travail du peintre, La Fraîcheur et le Feu, Priez pour paix
CD 3 – 67′06″
Maurice Ravel (1875–1937) – Histoires naturelles, Mélodies populaires grecques, Chansons madécasses, Don Quichotte à Dulcinée Jacques Leguerney (1906–1997) – Poèmes de la Pléiade Reynaldo Hahn (1875–1947) – L’Heure exquise
CD 4 – 71′49″
Henri Duparc (1848–1933) – L’Invitation au voyage, Phidylé, Extase, Chanson triste, Soupir, and others Charles Gounod (1818–1893) – L’Absent, Sérénade Emmanuel Chabrier (1841–1894) – Les Cigales, Chanson pour Jeanne Georges Bizet (1838–1875) – Chanson d’avril César Franck (1822–1890) – Nocturne Albert Roussel (1869–1937) – Le Jardin mouillé, Le Bachelier de Salamanque
Performers: Gérard Souzay – Baritone Dalton Baldwin – Piano
Publishers
© 1960–1968 Universal International Music B.V. © 2010 Newton Classics B.V. under license to MCPS. Manufactured and printed in the EU. All rights reserved.
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