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I like the voice - I'm sure it'll grow on me. The accompaniment is luscious. Thanks for a great find.
The recording contains a unique performance of Lambert's version of the same Leçons de Ténèbres that were famously set to music by Charpentier, Couperin, and Lalande. Lambert's Leçons, however, were anything but written out in full. In the one score that survives, the vocal line, which is so richly ornamented with the turns and trills of Gregorian plainchant that the word "plain" seems out of place, does not exactly meld with the surviving basso continuo line. In order to create a viable version for performance, the four musicians had to do what many musicologists had failed to dofigure out a way to unite Lambert's melodies and harmonies into a musically coherent whole.
Perhaps the musicians' most potentially controversial decision was to ignore surviving reports from Lambert's time that his Leçons were performed by three singers. Instead, taking permission from the fact that Lambert probably sang the pieces himself, and used the score solely as a memory aide as he embellished the vocal line while his supporting instrumentalists improvised around him, these modern early music specialists created a version for solo male voice.
That voiceMauillon'sis as reverent as it is haunting. His is a unique sound that, together with his pronunciation of early French, will seize many listeners. Even if you're not into the religiosity of it allI, for one, am notthe restrained ecstasy of Mauillon's technically astounding realization of Lambert's musical line, and his unblemished sincerity and devotion, will likely leave you transfixed.
Instrumental solos, duets and trios are rare in Lambert's Leçons, and confined to short phrases preceding the vocal entrances. Regardless, in those brief moments, the sounds of those instruments in this acoustic is wondrous.
Perhaps to compensate for the fact that Mauillon's virtuosity dominates the performance, the recording also includes a number of instrumental interludes by other composers: a Prélude non mesuré pour viole seule by Anonyme (attr. to Nicolas Hotman), an Allemande for bass viol and a Courante, both by Hotman, and the wondrous 4+ minute Tombeau de Mezangeau for lute by Ennemond Gaultier (approx. 15751651). Not being a specialist of the French Baroque, I didn't know music by any of these composers before I began playing this disc. Now that I have heard these piecesGaultier's solo for lute, here performed on theorbo, is extraordinary for its inventive flightsI'm eager to hear more.
I'll be the first to acknowledge that a hunger for the more obscure sacred music of the French baroque may not be shared by everyone who reads this. But once you hear Mauillon's voice, and the flowing musicianship of his fellow artists, you will likely be hooked. On every level, this recording is a remarkable achievement.
I like the voice - I'm sure it'll grow on me. The accompaniment is luscious. Thanks for a great find.
http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=2268764
https://www.amazon.com/Lambert-Leçons-Ténèbres-Marc-Mauillon/dp/B0791ZXWDX
Note that the three Amazon.com "reviews" already online were written years before the recording was released.
The three Amazon reviews were for a completely different album, sung by sopranos, full orch., etc.
Sound samples (50 of them) are at http://www.harmoniamundi.com/#!/albums/2324 .
Disc two, track five ("Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum") has no sound sample.
I do happen to be interested in obscure Baroque music, and what I want to know is, how do you find this stuff? You seem to have a knack for locating these amazing classical recordings on websites I've never heard of. Keep 'em coming.
ArkivMusic.com has pages devoted to new releases, which are usually updated weekly. Some people enjoy looking at such things, and other people think it is too much work.
The present recording is on the page for April 13:
https://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/listPage.jsp?list_id=5063&page_type=2
There are plenty of sources for notification of new music as Charles just noted, however, Jason does have an ear for some amazing things that get past other reviewers.
I work directly with record labels and distributors. They send me possibilities; I submit requests. In Harmonia Mundi's case, they've been supplying me with most new releases on their label in hi-rez.
Sometimes I have an agenda, as in "I must review this." Other times, I just snoop around. I store the most likely candidates for review on 256 GB solid-state thumb drives, and have lots and lots to choose from. I shall not begin to list the titles I've been trying to get to for months.
Starting with the July issue, reviews of different classical recordings than those reviewed online will begin to appear in print. Save for Record of the Month, those reviews will not be posted online. Hey, you can subscribe for $12.95/year.