Anne Sofie von Otter - La Bonne Chanson [French Chamber Songs]

Taking its name from Fauré's famous La Bonne Chanson cycle, this is a collection of French songs for voice and diverse chamber ensemble. It includes not only the Fauré but Ravel's Three Poems of Stéphane Mallarmé, Frank Martin's Three Christmas Songs and, strangest of all, Poulenc's Rapsodie négre, an early, misguided attempt at Gauguin-esque exotica. Most of it is tasty stuff, particularly for those who have a high tolerance for musical radiance and don't need that much shade with their light. Performances by Otter are, as always, smart and fastidious, though perhaps a tad cool. -- David Patrick Stearns