The Songs of Chausson / Lott · Murray · McGreevy · Trakas · Chilingirian Quartet · G. Johnson
When it comes to song writing, Ernest Chausson has long stood in the shadows of Debussy, Duparc, Fauré, and Ravel, but his gentle and self-effacing songs go so much further than the merely charming. To have the complete collection gathered on disc is a treat, and with artists like these, the performances are about as good as you could expect this side of the pearly gates. Ann Murray and Felicity Lott need no introduction for their celestial singing of this repertoire. The American baritone Chris Pedro Trakas is less well-known, but he comes with a clutch of top prizes and, more to the point, a beautifully sensitive voice, which he uses to great effect here.Underpinning everything is accompanist Graham Johnson, whose playing is always just so right, whatever area of the song repertoire he takes on, and who provides (uncredited) a must-read essay on Chausson that really engages with the music. Soprano Geraldine McGreevy is a welcome addition in two duets, as is the Chilingirian Quartet, accompanying Ann Murray in the final number, "Chanson perpétuelle." If a reason for a reassessment of Chausson's role as a writer ofmélodieis needed, this marvelous set is overwhelmingly it.--Keith Clarke