BaL 12.11.11 - Fauré: Nocturnes

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 Building a Library: Stephen Plaistow with a personal recommendation from the available recordings of Faure's Nocturnes

Available versions:

Paul Crossley
Jean-Claude Pennetier
Stefan Irmer
Charles Owen
Jean-Paul Sevilla
David Lively
Jean Martin
Jet Röling
Germaine Thyssens-Valentin
Grant Johannesen
Jean-Philippe Collard
Jean Hubeau
Kathryn Stott

[Nick Armstrong]

This is very welcome indeed It should be a classic, with not too many runners and riders, and the splendid and hugely experienced Mr Plaistow in charge

I still find these elusive pieces. As an unconditional fan of Fauré's chamber music with piano, I've never been able to love the Nocturnes, despite very recently acquiring, thanks to prompting on these boards, the complete set with Collard in its über-cheap Brilliant Classics manifestation http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faure-Piano-...0395786&sr=1-1. I'm pretty sure that will fare well in the survey, sounds great. But I have yet to be seduced by the music. Some pointers by Stephen Plaistow will be helpful.

Really looking forward to this BAL

[Bryn]

... I've never been able to love the Nocturnes, despite very recently acquiring, thanks to prompting on these boards, the complete set with Collard in its über-cheap Brilliant Classics manifestation http://www.amazon.co.uk/Faure-Piano-...0395786&sr=1-1.

Something of a gestalt image on the cover of that Collard Fauré box as illustrated on the page linked to. My first interpretation was of an oil can's spout pouring its content into the lower reaches of the keyboard.

[Nick Armstrong]

Something of a gestalt image on the cover of that Collard Fauré box as illustrated on the page linked to. My first interpretation was of an oil can's spout pouring its content into the lower reaches of the keyboard.

I now see what you mean but hadn't noticed it before - I shan't see it in the same way from now on...

[Don Petter]

I still find these elusive pieces.

So did I until I heard the recordings of Germaine Thyssens-Valentin. Everything suddenly falls into place and sounds 'absolutely right'. So it's no contest for me.

[Don Petter]

I don't know how we currently define 'available' but I see that Jean-Michel Damase's recordings on Accord can still be downloaded from Amazon France.

[Nick Armstrong]

So did I until I heard the recordings of Germaine Thyssens-Valentin. Everything suddenly falls into place and sounds 'absolutely right'. So it's no contest for me.

Damn the FoR3 forum!!!! Bloody expensive !! Shall at least await the BAL, let's see what Germaine looks like trotting round the paddock.

[silvestrione]

So did I until I heard the recordings of Germaine Thyssens-Valentin. Everything suddenly falls into place and sounds 'absolutely right'. So it's no contest for me.

I had exactly the same experience, Don. I have all three of her Faure discs and they are special.

[verismissimo]

I appear only to have five of the Nocturnes: Albert Ferber recorded by Ted Perry on LP with rather poor surfaces for Saga in the 1970s. So I'm definitely in the market.

[Barbirollians]

GVT must be a short priced favourite - Michael Oliver raved about her Faure recordings in Gramophone when Testament first reissued them . She just gets inside this enigmatic music like no other in my experience .

[Martin]

It has to be Kathryn Stott.

It may be elusive repertoire, but it's well worth the investment of repeated listenings.

For anyone who thinks Faure is all about Dolly and the Requiem, prepare to be amazed.

[verismissimo]

Anyone ever heard these Nocturnes (written through Faure's composing life) played live as a set? Wonder how it works?

Very much looking forward to hearing the very excellent Mr Plaistow.

[antongould]

IMHO opinion this is a joy - bringing pieces I don't know to life.

[ardcarp]

Seems you picked the winner there, Silvestrione. I had never heard of this recording before, nor indeed the artist (to my great shame). The playing is just incredible. And the slightly mellower piano sound (probably partly the old recording) seems to suit Faure's transparent textures rather well. And thank God SP/AMcG didn't have someone phoning in to say they heard Faure's Requiem in the bath when they were four.

[aka Calum Da Jazbo]

sound quality may be a bit of an issue but price is not for the lady's complete faure works for piano here


excellent programme for the reasons given above .... 'no gloss' at all eh ...