Gramophone Awards 2023
Finalist - Song

Malcolm Martineau (piano), Sarah Connolly (mezzo-soprano), Nicky Spence (tenor), Huw Montague Rendall (baritone), William Thomas (bass)

Chanson triste
Soupir
Romance de Mignon
Sérénade
Le Galop
Au pays ou se fait la guerre
L'Invitation au voyage
La Vague et la Cloche
Extase
Élégie
Le Manoir de Rosemonde
Sérénade Florentine
Lamento
Phidylé
Testament
La Vie antérieure

Malcolm Martineau follows up his acclaimed complete song collections of Poulenc and Faure with an album celebrating the solo songs of Henri Duparc, performed by an acclaimed roster of British singers – Dame Sarah Connolly, Huw Montague Rendall, Nicky Spence & William Thomas. An iconic figure in the world of French music – his songs described as being ‘imperfect...but works of genius’ by Ravel and ‘perfect’ by Debussy – Duparc only composed a handful of works during the first half of his life: following a nervous disorder in 1885 at age 37 he lived for a further 48 years, orchestrating and tinkering with his songs, but publishing nothing new. Scottish pianist Malcolm Martineau is recognized at the highest international level as one of the UK’s leading accompanists, performing worldwide alongside the world’s greatest singers and with a discography of over 100 albums, including a number of award-winning recordings.

"a high standard is attained by all participants...Both rising stars of the UK vocal firmament, Thomas and Montague Rendall earn their places alongside fully established performers." - BBC Music Magazine, September 2022.

"This is very much a recording in which we’re aware of Duparc’s edginess as well as his beauty." - Gramophone Magazine, September 2022.