Malcolm Martineau, number one pianist of choice for so many singers, follows his Poulenc series for Signum with another survey of a French composer’s songs. Fauré’s music here benefits from his light but purposeful touch and mercurial responsiveness to the words of his singers – a team of eight, mixing experience and freshness. The former camp includes the crystalline Janis Kelly, Joan Rodgers – dusky-toned in the late song-cycle Le Jardin Clos – and Ann Murray, who spins long, velvety lines in songs ranging from Fauré’s first published work to the Cinq Mélodies “de Venise”, taking in a gorgeously supple Après un Rêve on the way. Of the younger singers, baritone Ben Johnson could sound more suave in Sérénade Toscane, but countertenor Iestyn Davies brings a beautiful limpidity to Lydia and Tristesse. Martineau is in his element throughout, guiding the songs unerringly and keeping sensuality and simplicity in balance.
