Automne Op.18 No.3 (Gabriel Fauré 1845-1924)

Albert Combrink2013-05-12T19:15:31+02:00

Automne (Trois mélodies) Op.18 No.3

{1878, published 1880} Text: Armand Silvestre (1837-1901 ) /Music: Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) – à Mademoiselle Alice Boissonnet.

Marilyn McCabe’s image of Armand Sylvestre & Gabriel Fauré

Paul-Armand Silvestre (April 18, 1837 – February 19, 1901) was a Parisian born poet, journalist, art critic and was awarded the Legion of Honour in 1886. A civil servant, not regarded as one of the great French poets, nonetheless attracted a lot of composers to his work, as they “left tactful scope for [read more…]

Automne Op.18 No.3 (Gabriel Fauré 1845-1924)Albert Combrink2013-05-12T19:15:31+02:00

Claire de Lune Op. 46 No 2 (Gabriel Fauré)

Albert Combrink2013-05-11T20:53:04+02:00

Claire de Lune (Menuet) Op. 46 No 2 (1887) – Gabriel Fauré

"Even while singing, in a minor key,

of victorious love and fortunate living,

they do not seem to believe in their happiness"

Regarded by many as the quintessential French Melodié, it is hard to imagine the tempestuous relationships led by its creators. The poet attempted to kill his lover in a jealous rage, and the composer, slipping into depression in an unsatisfying marriage, was extremely attractive to women and “his conquests were legion in the Paris salons.” [Duchen, Jessica. “A still, small voice”, The Guardian, 24 November 1995, p. A12]

Fauré [read more…]

Claire de Lune Op. 46 No 2 (Gabriel Fauré)Albert Combrink2013-05-11T20:53:04+02:00

Les Chemins de L’amour (Francis Poulenc)

Albert Combrink2013-05-11T16:33:12+02:00

Yvonne Printemps

Watch: “Les Chemins de l’amour — ‘Valse chantée’ ” (Francis Poulenc 1899-1963): Sarah Acres (Cello) & Albert Combrink (Piano)
Live Amateur Video recorded at the Casa Labia Cultural Center, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 13 June 2013

Blessed with great singers as collaborators, friends, and most significantly, lovers, Poulenc left behind a substantial legacy of French Artsongs. When I first heard this song, I fell totally in love with it. I didn’t know what it was about, and I wasn’t sure if it was Cabaret or [read more…]

Les Chemins de L’amour (Francis Poulenc)Albert Combrink2013-05-11T16:33:12+02:00

Reynaldo Hahn: À Chloris – Happiness beyond kings

Albert Combrink2013-03-07T17:41:37+02:00

Reynaldo Hahn: À Chloris

Child prodigy and youngest of 12 children, Reynaldo Hahn (1874-1947) was a Venezuelan, naturalised French, composer, conductor, music critic, diarist, theatre director, and salon singer. Best known as a composer of songs, he wrote in the French classical tradition of the mélodie. The fine craftsmanship, remarkable beauty, and originality of his works capture the insouciance of la belle époque.

Accompanist and brilliant writer Graham Johnson describes the song beautifully:
“À Chloris is beyond doubt the summit of Reynaldo Hahn’s art as a pasticheur, and [read more…]

Reynaldo Hahn: À Chloris – Happiness beyond kingsAlbert Combrink2013-03-07T17:41:37+02:00

Benjamin Britten Folksong (re)settings: when artsong meets folksong

Albert Combrink2009-10-04T22:09:30+02:00

Britten re-invented British folksongs for his recitals with the tenor Peter Pears. Their magic is as undiluted in his "re-imaginings" as they are in their purer form as folk-songs, and some of them attain the status of brand new Art Songs.

Benjamin Britten Folksong (re)settings: when artsong meets folksongAlbert Combrink2009-10-04T22:09:30+02:00

Ständchen by Richard Strauss: Passion and Seduction in the Garden of Eden

Albert Combrink2009-09-12T20:17:54+02:00

This analysis describes how wonderfully Strauss paints the picture of passion, secrecy and stolen delight, in this wonderfully ecstatic Nocturne.

Ständchen by Richard Strauss: Passion and Seduction in the Garden of EdenAlbert Combrink2009-09-12T20:17:54+02:00

Manuel de Falla: Siete canciones populares españolas (1914)

Albert Combrink2009-09-08T19:45:49+02:00

This discussion of Falla's great setting of seven Spanish Folksongs also provides recorded clips of Teresa Berganza singing it in three different versions: 1) Piano 2) Orchestra and 3) Guitar. The comparisons make for fascinating listening.

Manuel de Falla: Siete canciones populares españolas (1914)Albert Combrink2009-09-08T19:45:49+02:00

Allerseelen (Richard Strauss)

Albert Combrink2009-09-08T07:49:22+02:00

An analysis of the themes and inspiration behind one of Strauss' greatest songs.

Allerseelen (Richard Strauss)Albert Combrink2009-09-08T07:49:22+02:00

Duets for Soprano and Mezzo: Some Suggestions from the Song Repertoire

Albert Combrink2009-08-26T22:21:55+02:00

As a freelance pianist I am always on the look-out for concert-fillers and interesting repertoire with which to fill out programmes. This posting is a companion-piece to my posting on operatic duets for Soprano and Mezzo. This list is work-in-progress and all input and suggestions will be greatly appreciated. I hope to update the list occasionally as my knowledge increases.

Purcell: Sound the trumpet /Two daughters of this aged stream /Let us wander

Purcell realised Britten: Sound the trumpet /Lost is my quiet for ever /What can we poor females do

Britten: Mother Comfort / Underneath the abject willow tree

Quilter: It was [read more…]

Duets for Soprano and Mezzo: Some Suggestions from the Song RepertoireAlbert Combrink2009-08-26T22:21:55+02:00

Judith Kellock Masterclass at University of Cape Town, 4 August 2009

Albert Combrink2009-08-18T22:23:50+02:00

As part of her recital-tour of South Africa, Prof Judith Kellock, presented Masterclasses at S.A. College of Music at the University of Cape Town. It was a tremendous bonus that Peter Louis van Dijk and myself managed to get this to happen at UCT. At the invitation Prof. Virigina Davids – Head of the Voice Department at the SACM, Miss Kellock worked with students with a large range of skills, of both Under- and Post-Gradute level. Miss Kellock’s class drew substantial interest from faculty and students alike and was [read more…]

Judith Kellock Masterclass at University of Cape Town, 4 August 2009Albert Combrink2009-08-18T22:23:50+02:00

Lieder and Song

Automne (Trois mélodies) Op.18 No.3

{1878, published 1880} Text: Armand Silvestre (1837-1901 ) /Music: Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924) – à Mademoiselle Alice Boissonnet.

Claire de Lune (Menuet) Op. 46 No 2 (1887) – Gabriel Fauré

Reynaldo Hahn: À Chloris