8 of 9 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Vibrant refinement and sheer lyricism!, July 31 2006
By Hiram Gomez Pardo - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Fauré: 13 Nocturnes (Audio CD)
Jean Philippe Collard is among of the pianists of his generation, the most pyramidal, consistent and mature of them.
Gabriel Fauré is one of the most beloved composers outside of France and weirdly, one of the most misunderstood musicians of his generation. As a classicist, he always maintained the ideals of Rameau. Little of even nothing cared about expressive modes, technical devices, regarding himself the logical product of a long established tradition in a decisive musical history turning point.. His musical formation accuses a solid doses of Bach where form and content, clarity and unit, supported his untamed Romantic spirit. His harmony was constantly enriched due the powerful inspiration, there are swiftly moving modulations and peerless chromaticisms, that suggest us an overflowing source of untiring inspiration. That's why, in honor to the true, these pages of fecund, sheer and pristine beauty have not achieved the deserved lace it should occupy in the literature for piano.
These thirteen Nocturnes constitute by far, his finest single group of fine pieces. The kaleidoscopic lyricism, captivating serenity and that mysterious spell make of these pages one of my favorite pieces any time. You just only should notice the exuberance of the Fifth Nocturne Op. 66 to agree in my personal appreciation.
This set of Fauré' s Nocturnes simply has no equal, in hands of this poet of the piano; Jean Philippe Collard who carves in relief his eloquent expressiveness and lavish phrasing.
1 of 3 people found the following review helpful
5.0 out of 5 stars
Faure: Nocturnes, Preludes, Ballade, Theme & Variations, Aug 20 2011
By Bjorn Viberg - Published on Amazon.com
This review is from: Fauré: 13 Nocturnes (Audio CD)
Faure: Nocturnes, Preludes, Ballade, Theme & Variations is a EMI recording from 1987. Here we get to here the immense talent of pianist Jean-Philippe Collard. What Gould is for Bach, Collard is for Faure. Philippe Mougeot has written the music notes and Elizabeth Carroll has translated them into English. Very enjoyable! Highly recommended. 5/5.