The Pianist's Side of the Song
Tim Page
The Washington Post
Piano accompaniment is an art in itself, as Dalton Baldwin
proved in an all-Fauré song recital sponsored by the Vocal Arts Society
at the French Embassy Wednesday night. Not that the two singers-baritone
Bernard Levaseur and soprano Bonnie Hoke — were less than satishctory…
Rather, the listener was impressed by Baldwin's deep understanding of these
songs, his innate sense of proportion, his immaculate good taste…
Lavasseur, who sang somewhat more than half of the music, possesses a dapper, medium-size voice, an idiomatic command of the French language… he warmed up considerably. after intermission and might really have hit his stride had the evening gone on longer…
Hoke was at her best in selections where she could sing out; her voice… blossomed in such songs as "Notre Amour," with its joyful, unfettered exclamations of love. She is a charming and stylish singer, one whc pays close attention to both melody and meaning.
Gabriel Fauré
Le secret
Chanson d’amour
Le chanson du pêcheur
Sérénade toscane
Tristesse
En sourdine
Spleen
Clair de lune
Mandoline
Aubade
Après un rêve
La rose (ode anacreontique)
Les roses d’Ispahan
Notre amour
Les mirages
Cygnes sur l’eau
Reflets dans l’eau
Jardin nocturne
Danseuse
Soir
Arpège
Le parfum impérissable
Fleur jetée
L’horizon chimerique
La mer est infinie
Je me suis embarqué
Diane, Séléné
Vaisseaux, nous vous aurons aimée
Vocal Arts Society, P. O. Box 32233, Washington, D.C. 20007, (202) 365-9064,
is a tax-exempt, non-profit organization dedicated to the promotion of the
song recital.
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