In the last episode of the series on Reynaldo Hahn, we hear his song cycles.
In this last episode on the composer Reynaldo Hahn, one more time we dwell on his songs. The reason is that Hahn was praised mainly for his songs, especially in his times. In those times, the aristocracy often visited the Parisian salons, to which poets and musicians used to be invited. We start our programme with the 12 Rondels from 1900.
Next are the Etudes Latines, consisting originally of 18 poems of Leconte de Lisle, 10 of which Hahn put to paper. He completed these compositions during a visit to Rome. The texts of de Lisle inspired many composers to write songs or instrumental music. For instance, Fauré and Ravel, but also Debussy’s La fille aux cheveux de lin is based on a poem of de Lisle.
This programme is concluded with two songs from the cycle Les feuilles blessées of Hahn from 1906. The title means ‘the injured leaves’. We begin with number 6, Eau printanière, translated as ‘springlike water’. Next, we hear number 8, Fumée, meaning ‘smoked’.
1. Hahn. 12 Rondels.
2. Hahn. 10 Etudes Latines.
Felicity Lott, soprano.
Susan Bickley, mezzo-soprano.
Ian Bostridge, tenor.
Stephen Varcou, baritone.
The Londen Schubert Chorale conducted by Stephen Layton.
Graham Johnson, piano (Rondels and Etudes).
Chris Gould, piano (Etudes).
3. Hahn. Feuilles Blessées, no. 6.
4. Hahn. Feuilles Blessées, no. 8.
Didier Henry, baritone.
Stéphane Petitjean, piano.
