Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne (Songs of the Auvergne)
The French nature composer Canteloube orchestrated this collection of folk songs from his native Provence. As classical discs go, this is one of my guilty pleasures. Purists of French folksong may scorn Canteloube's extravagant orchestrations, but for me--an admitted Francophile and a lover of Mahler's orchestral lied--this is a little gift from heaven. Frederica von Stade is so luxurious as to be nearly disconcerting. Rich stuff, perhaps too rich for some; if this music were food think foie gras and confit de canard.--Joshua Cody