Awards

• Winner of Named as Outstanding Academic Book by Choice.

Overview

The French Song Companion is the most comprehensive book of French mélodie in any language. The great accompagnist Graham Johnson, a noted authority of song, provides repertoire guides to the work of some 150 composers - the majority of them from France, but including British, American, German, Spanish, and Italian musicians who have written French vocal music. There are major articles on such figures as Fauré, Duparc, Debussy, Ravel, and Poulenc; substantial articles on Bizet, Chabrier, Gounod, Chausson, Hahn, and Satie; and reassessments of such composers as Massenet, Koechlin, and Leguerney. A host of less celebrated figures who have contributed to the genre take their place in a book which is both informative and entertaining.The biographical articles are supplemented by the song translations of Richard Stokes, some 700 in all, and a veritable treasury of great French poetry from the fifteenth to the twentieth centuries. These stand in their own right as indispensable to music lovers, concert-goers, and professional singers and their accompanists. This is a book which not only reflects the repertoire as found in today's concert halls, but also encourages performers and armchair enthusiasts to explore the neglected highways and biways of an endlessly fascinating and highly civilised body of music.

Full Product Details

9780199249664

Table of Contents

Reviews

flicking through the lovingly enthusiastic writing in this Companion is a rewarding experience. Johnson has excelled on every level and his experience as an accompanist transforms this book into a precious insider's account. What could easily have turned out to be a dry catalogue is in fact a lively, witty and informative journey. Francis Carlin, The Singer A great deal of thought has obviously gone into the presentation of the enormous number of facts to be found here ... Furthermore, the book is a delight to handle. Gramaphone

`the generous provision of accurate translations is extremely useful' Nigel Simeone `for comprehensive coverage of the French art-song to around 1960 this book represents good value for money' Robert Orledge, TLS `Every singer, however experienced, will find new repertoire suggestions here, backed up by Johnson's informed selections within the oeuvre of the more prolific composer, and his invaluable advice about what works best in recital.' Robert Orledge, TLS `many perceptive insights into French song' Robert Orledge, TLS `He wisely does not attempt syllabic or rhyming translations; instead, he remains faithful to the nuances of the original French, and the results never feel dated or embarrassing' Robert Orledge, TLS `it urgently needs to reach the collections of singers, accompanists, singing teachers and Francophiles on both sides of the Atlantic, as well as anyone involved in producing concert programmes and CDs' Robert Orledge, TLS `Johnson does his best to stay witty and informative to the very end, and you could not find a more enthusiastic and dedicated promoter of what sadly now seems to be a genre in decline' Robert Orledge, TLS `Review from previous edition flicking through the lovingly enthusiastic writing in this Companion is a rewarding experience. Johnson has excelled on every level and his experience as an accompanist transforms this book into a precious insider's account. What could easily have turned out to be a dry catalogue is in fact a lively, witty and informative journey.' Francis Carlin, The Singer 05/04/2001 `a magnificent and comprehensive guide to this insufficiently known field. The Author writes in a splendidly idiosyncratic style, reflecting his own hedonistic engagement with a genre which - as he says himself - is comparable with the enjoyment of good food and drink.' Andrew Thompson, Musical Times Winter 07/03/2001 `A great deal of thought has obviously gone into the presentation of the enormous number of facts to be found here ... Furthermore, the book is a delight to handle.' Gramaphone, Dec 2000

Author Information

Graham Johnson is an internationally famous accompanist Richard Stokes teaches languages at Westminster School. He coaches singers in the interpretation of Lieder and regularly writes programme notes for song recitals at the Wigmore Hall.

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