{"product_id":"761195120026","title":"Veronique Gens - Berlioz: Sheherazade - Import CD","description":"\u003cp\u003eCredits:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eVeronique Gens\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eDescription:\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eSince the late 1980s, Véronique Jans has made her mark as an outstanding Baroque soprano. She was frequently featured in recordings of Baroque opera and vocal music, showcasing her crystal-clear voice. However, around the year 2000, she began actively recording French art songs—particularly those by Berlioz—in rapid succession, revealing a crisp and dramatic side to her artistry. I imagine many people still have vivid memories of this period etched in their minds. Now, she has signed an official contract with ONDINE, and her first release will be a collection of songs by Berlioz (1830–1869) and Ravel (1875–1937). In particular, this re-recording of “A Summer Night” marks her first in about 12 years, and it will be fascinating to see the depth of her interpretation. These songs, set to poems by Théophile Gautier, express the slightly troubled emotions of Berlioz—whose heart was in turmoil as a rift developed in his marriage to his beloved wife Harriet, whom he had once so ardently sought to win—and here, Jans renders them with beautiful, flowing French and a natural, almost breath-like delivery. These six songs, which combine tenderness and passion, are truly gems of beauty. The lyrical scene “Hermine” was written by Berlioz in 1828 (the year he fell in love with Harriet at first sight), and the “idée fixe” from the *Symphonie fantastique* is already evident throughout. He entered this piece in the Prix de Rome competition; although he narrowly missed first place by just two votes, he gained great confidence and immediately set to work composing the *Symphonie fantastique*. Ravel’s “Scheherazade” consists of three songs set to poems by Tristan Klingsor. The richly colored orchestration is quintessentially Ravel, and a subtle sense of Orientalism can also be felt. The exquisite accompaniment by the Orchestre National du Pays de la Loire, conducted by the exceptionally charismatic John Axelrod, adds further color to this singing that seems almost to spill over.\nNaxos Japan\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eTracklisting:\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e1.Herminie: Moderato\u003cbr\u003e2.Herminie: No. 1. Air. Adagio non troppo\u003cbr\u003e3.Herminie: No. 2. Air. Allegro assai agitato\u003cbr\u003e4.Herminie: No. 3. Air. Allegro impetuoso vivace\u003cbr\u003e5.Les Nuits d'ete: No. 1. Villanelle\u003cbr\u003e6.Les Nuits d'ete: No. 2. Le Spectre de la rose\u003cbr\u003e7.Les Nuits d'ete: No. 3. Sur les lagunes\u003cbr\u003e8.Les Nuits d'ete: No. 4. Absence\u003cbr\u003e9.Les Nuits d'ete: No. 5. Au Cimetiere\u003cbr\u003e10.Les Nuits d'ete: No. 6. L'Ile inconnue\u003cbr\u003e11.Sheherazade: Asie\u003cbr\u003e12.Sheherazade: La flute enchantee\u003cbr\u003e13.Sheherazade: L'Indifferent\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Ondine","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53595418362145,"sku":"761195120026","price":2790.0,"currency_code":"JPY","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0568\/8482\/2076\/files\/761195120026.jpg?v=1790481040","url":"https:\/\/cdsvinyljapan.com\/products\/761195120026","provider":"CDs Vinyl Japan Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}