Search - Alkan, Mefano, Yakar :: Recueils De Chants III

Lyrical music played by capable hands

02/14/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Unfortunately, this title is no longer available on the market. However, that does not mean that it shouldn't be reviewed. The pieces are less ironical and witty than some of Alkan's other music, the Esquisses or the Minor Etudes for example. These sets of "Chants" or Songs, show us a side of the composer that is obvious in many of his other works, but here, Alkan's inestimable grip on the lyrical soundworld is manifest. The opening tune is less flamboyant than that on the Jack Gibbons double CD of Alkan works, but is rather seen in a different light. Jaqueline Mefano uses much more rubato than the Smiths and Hamelins of the world but obviously feels very much at home with this music. The tunes that stand out in the first Recueil de Chants are, "Le Choeur" and the "Agitato", the former a virtuosic piece with familiar use of difficult leaps and chordal writing; the latter's poignancy is to be found at the end of the piece. The unexpected minor twist at the end made the piece for me. "L'Offrande" is also a very attractive piece, rather like part of the trio from the Minuet and Trio of the his piano Symphonie.
The second set has its highlights in "Fa" and the "Barcarolle en Choeur". In "Fa" the left hand has a deceptively difficult part of rapid semiquaver triplets. The effect is perhaps not as atmospheric and poignant as I would have liked, but is brought off well. The latter piece is lovely. The other works of interest, never recorded before are the three "Anciennes melodies Juives", the third in particular, has a depth of character about it. The other vocal works (which have also, to my knowledge, never been recorded before): "Halelouyoah" and "Es Haim" are attractive and have richly textured harmonies, particularly the latter, which is quite soul-searching in character. Overall, the performances are very good. The pianist is by no means as virtuosic as Gibbons, Hamelin or Smith but, like Ringeissen, brings a different and fresh approach to the music. "Les Jeunes Solistes" are a promising group, as this disc demonstrates and the sleeve notes shed a very different light on the composer, the world in which he lived, and his effect on the musical world. Perhaps more virtuosic and more polished performances would have earned this 5 stars, but 4 stars is still admirable."