Roderick Williams & Roger Vignoles - Mirages: The Art of French Song (2022)

In their latest release for Champs Hill Records, distinguished baritone Roderick Williams and acclaimed pianist Roger Vignoles join forces once again to offer a stunning recording, this time inspired by their critically acclaimed Wigmore Hall recital of French Song. Williams and Vignoles guide the listener through much-loved and lesser-known songs by the most celebrated French song composers, and others perhaps less well-known to English audiences. 'One of the particular joys of recording for Champs Hill is to be allowed to programme discs with freedom,' comments Williams. 'We assembled the programme as one would a recital programme, contrasting the delicate austerity of late Faureģ with the rich sonority of Caplet. We hoped the resulting shape would resemble an evening’s song recital, in which the first half begins gently, grows into something more voluptuous before finishing with a riotous drinking song to lead to the interval; the second begins with a challenging contemporary piece before the reward of great fun, and the whole evening ends with hilarity, mischief and bravura. And not to forget a brief encore, a nod to the most quintessential of French early-twentieth-century composers. To create and record this programme in such charming, relaxed surroundings was a treat; we hope you will enjoy listening in the same quixotic mood.'
Tracklist
01. Mirages, Op. 113: I. Cygne sur l'eau
02. Mirages, Op. 113: II. Reflets dans l'eau
03. Mirages, Op. 113: III. Jardin nocturne
04. Mirages, Op. 113: IV. Danseuse
05. 5 Ballades Françaises: I. Cloche d’aube
06. 5 Ballades Françaises: II. La Ronde
07. 5 Ballades Françaises: III. Notre chaumière en Yveline
08. 5 Ballades Françaises: IV. Songe d’une nuit d’été
09. 5 Ballades Françaises: V. L’adieu en barque
10. Petits cours de morale: I. Jeanne
11. Petits cours de morale: II. Adèle
12. Petits cours de morale: III. Cécile
13. Petits cours de morale: IV. Irène
14. Petits cours de morale: V. Rosemonde
15. Don Quichotte à Dulcinée: I. Chanson Romanesque
16. Don Quichotte a Dulcinée: II. Chanson Épique
17. Don Quichotte a Dulcinée: III. Chanson à boire
18. Les ténèbres de l'amour: I. La dure épreuve va finir
19. Les ténebres de l'amour: II. Va, chanson à tire-d’aile
20. Les ténebres de l'amour: III. Hier, on parlait de choses et d’autres
21. Les ténebres de l'amour: IV. Nous sommes en les temps infâmes
22. Saluste du Bartas: I. Le château du Bartas
23. Saluste du Bartas: II. Tout le long de la Baïse
24. Saluste du Bartas: III. Le départ
25. Saluste du Bartas: IV. Le promenade
26. Saluste du Bartas: V. Nérac en fête
27. Saluste du Bartas: VI. Duo
28. 2 poèmes d'Apollinaire, Op. 94: I. Dans le jardin d’Anna
29. 2 poèmes d'Apollinaire, Op. 94: II. Allons plus vite
30. Parisiana, Op. 157: I. Jouer du bugle
31. Parisiana, Op. 157: II. Vous n'écrivez plus?
32. Beau soir