Faure: Requiem; songs
Barbara Bonney, Hakan Hagegard, singers; Boston Symphony Orchestra, Seiji Ozawa, conductor; Warren Jones, piano (RCA Victor Red Seal)
Ozawa’s Faure Requiem is a safe middle-of-the-road interpretation, one that honors the devotional spirit of this kindest and gentlest of the great settings of the Latin mass for the dead. The original version called for organ accompaniment and a handful of instruments; Ozawa uses the version for full orchestra and chorus but allows enough light into the textures so that the performance sounds French, not heavy or cloying. The Tanglewood Festival Chorus and Boston Symphony musicians offer a full-bodied yet well-blended sound throughout.
Ozawa, moreover, has a fine pair of soloists. Bonney’s lithe, pure soprano shimmers in the “Pie Jesu” section, while Hagegard is his usual musical, sensitive self, even if some of the velvet has worn off his lyric baritone.
Even if you already own one of more recordings of the Requiem, the CD is worth buying for the coupling, a selection of mostly familiar Faure songs sung by the Requiem soloists. Fusing words to music in a fresh, spontaneous manner, Bonney is a delight in such melodies as “Chanson d’amour” and “Notre amour.” Hagegard turns in stylistically refined renderings of “En sourdine” and “Fleur jetee,” among other songs. Jones’ fluent, sympathetic piano accompaniments add to the charms of this duo recital, a secular pendant to the Requiem.
