Mademoiselle: Première Audience - Unknown Music of Nadia Boulanger

$26.99
Label
Delos
Release Date
March 10, 2017
Format
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Delos has the tremendous honor of issuing the first-ever album devoted to the wonderful compositions of Nadia Boulanger: truly a release of great historical importance. None dispute that Boulanger was by far the twentieth century’s most influential composition teacher. Yet “Mademoiselle,” as she has long been known in the music world, dismissed her own works as “useless,” with the result that they are almost completely unknown to the musical public today. But not anymore. Music lovers everywhere can now hear Boulanger’s complete works, published and unpublished (including 13 world premieres), in the genres of the art song, solo piano, cello and piano, and organ, as performed by an all-star array of musicians. Mademoiselle’s music, with its beauty and originality, will amaze listeners everywhere.

REVIEWS:

Absolutely nothing about this record denotes one of the most important classical records of this or any year -- not the venerable but small American label Delos or the French, Israeli, and American musicians involved.

But what you've got here is historic and very great indeed: the first recording of music by one of the most important figures in all of 20th century music but one whose own music has been kept under virtual lock and key since her death in 1979 at the age of 92.

Nadia Boulanger's own compositional life occupied only a small part of her very long life: from 1901 to 1922. She didn't think her own music was worth much. You will differ completely after hearing these two discs. Listen to these songs, piano pieces and works for cello and piano and you'll, in fact, be dumbfounded that it took so long for this music to have its world premiere on record.

– Buffalo News (Jeff Simon)

The performances here range from good to considerably better. Nicole Cabell’s singing of just over half the songs is exquisite: delicately shaded, tonally lovely, and sensitive to the texts. Neither of the two male singers has a voice with the distinctiveness of hers, but both are fine singers and more than do justice to the songs. Tenor Alek Shrader really understands the French style. The usual range of subjects—love, grief, nature, and religion—are all covered in Boulanger’s melodies. Some songs are surprisingly passionate from a composer whom history has painted as a reserved and controlled personality.

The instrumental works, all miniatures, are skillfully crafted (as one would expect from a life-long pedagogue), but also display a spark of ingenuity and inspiration. The third of the three pieces for cello and piano, Vite et nerveusement rythmé, is a vivid depiction of nervous energy, forming a strong contrast to the first piece, which is longingly romantic. There is throughout the disc a great deal of variety of mood and color, which helps to maintain interest. Pianist Lucy Mauro does yeoman’s work as both soloist and as collaborative pianist, though without demonstrating a really strong musical personality. The cellist and organist are quite good as well, and the well-balanced and natural recorded sound is also a plus. Finally, so are Delos’s extensive and informative notes. Everything about this disc combines to make an enthusiastic recommendation easy.

-- Fanfare



Product Description:

  • Release Date: March 10, 2017


  • UPC: 013491349626


  • Catalog Number: DE 3496


  • Label: Delos


  • Number of Discs: 2


  • Composer: Nadia, Boulanger


  • Performer: Cabell, Shrader, Crossley-Mercer, Peled, Mauro, Houbart



Works:

  1. Versailles

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  2. J'ai frappe

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  3. Chanson

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  4. Chanson

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  5. Heures ternes

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  6. Le beau navire

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  7. Mon Coeur

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  8. Doute

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  9. Un grand sommeil noir

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  10. L'echange

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  11. Soir d'hiver

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  12. Ilda

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  13. Priere

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  14. Cantique

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  15. Poème d'amour

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  16. Extase

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  17. La mer

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  18. Aubade

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  19. Au bord de la nuit

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  20. Le Couteau

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  21. Soleils couchants

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  22. Élégie

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  23. O schwöre nicht

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  24. Was will die einsame Thräne

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  25. Ach, die Augen sind es wieder

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  26. Ecoutez la chanson bien douce

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  27. Vers la vie nouvelle

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)


  28. 3 Piano Pièces

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Lucy Mauro (Piano)


  29. 3 Pieces for Cello and Piano

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Amit Peled (Celllo), Lucy Mauro (Piano)


  30. 3 Pieces for Organ

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: François-Henri Houbart (Organ)


  31. Pièce sur des airs populaires flamands

    Composer: Nadia Boulanger

    Performer: Alek Shrader (Tenor), Nicole Cabell (Soprano), Edwin Crossley-Mercer (Baritone), Lucy Mauro (PIano), Amit Peled (Cello)