Search - Peter Johnson, Lili Boulanger, James Wood :: Lili Boulanger: Clairières dans le ciel; Les sirènes; Renouveau

A beautiful recording of magnificent music

Geoffrey Wieting | Cambridge, MA USA | 03/10/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This CD consists of much of Lili Boulanger's secular music for voice(s), both solo vocal and choral. It was my introduction to the glorious song cycle Clairieres dans le ciel. I now own two other fine recordings of it, but this one remains my favorite for Martyn Hill's most sensitive interpretation (and wonderful French!) as well as the beautiful and deft pianism of Andrew Ball. These songs compare favorably to anything in the art song repertoire and should be far better known than they are. The poems are exquisite, and Lili's musical settings are a miracle of empathy (as well as being ravishing music). The choral pieces with piano are very varied in mood and highly accomplished though all but one were written in her teens. The New London Chamber Choir sings beautifully throughout, with much expression and minimal vibrato, allowing the richly colorful harmonies to emerge with full clarity. As before, the vividly characterized accompaniments from Andrew Ball are a joy. Hyperion's recording is, as usual, wonderfully clear and atmospheric at the same time, the gold standard for the industry."