Canteloube: Chants d'Auvergne (selections), Vol. 2 / Chant de France / Triptyque

"Véronique Gens sings beautifully throughout and shows a fine understanding of the Auvergne dialect. I think I remember a recent interview - was it in Gramophone? - in which she mentioned that she had family roots in the Auvergne and that these folk-songs meant a great deal to her. That certainly shows in her performances; but she is equally and equally perfectly at ease with the other works featured here."
(Bargain of the Month MusicWeb Dec 2007)

"There's more to Canteloube than the Auvergne, so splendidly shown here. At a time when precious few sopranos ascend to true superstardom, I'd say that Véronique Gens deserves to be up there with the likes of (arguably) Natalie Dessay and Angela Gheorghiu (that said, I can think of about five more who deserve such fame, too, but it's an unfair world). She is in gorgeous voice here and typically alert to Canteloube's every nuance, especially in the sumptuous Tryptique."
(Editor's Choice Gramophone Magazine December 2007)

Since his death in 1957, Canteloube has become widely known for his many folk-song arrangements, particularly the enchanting Chants d'Auvergne. This second Canteloube disc featuring Véronique Gens, herself native to the Auvergne region, completes the Naxos cycle of the complete Chants d'Auvergne accompanied by full orchestra. It also includes two rarely performed works: excerpts from Chants de France, another anthology of folk-songs subsequently harmonised and orchestrated, and the Triptyque, three exquisite settings worthy of being ranked alongside the greatest songs by Chausson and Ravel. Volume 1 of the Chants d'Auvergne is available on Naxos 8.557491.