The pleasure in this series is the rich variety of singers – among them Ann Murray, John Chest, Nigel Cliffe, Thomas Oliemans, Janis Kelly – which creates the atmosphere of a recital among friends. There is occasional vocal unevenness, but Fauré’s elusive mix of fragility and strength always shines through, with Malcolm Martineau ever an authoritative, agile and responsive pianist. Ben Johnson in Aubade and Iestyn Davies in Le plus doux chemin stand out among many highlights. Central to Volume 2 is La chanson d’Ève, Op 95 to symbolist texts by Charles van Lerberghe, deliciously sung by Sarah Connolly who celebrates both the simplicity and the sensuality of this cycle.
