Rameau: Pigmalion, Les Grands Motets / Niquet, FouchÃ©court, de Reyghere, Piau, Gens, Composer: Jean-Philippe Rameau, Performer: Sandrine Piau, VÃ©ronique Gens, Nicole FourniÃ©, Jean-Paul FouchÃ©court, Conductor: HervÃ© Niquet, Orchestra/Ensemble: Le Concert Spirituel, Number of Discs: 2. The contents of both these discs were recorded in 1992 and issued separately towards the end of the decade in the U.S. This is their first reissue and this release should draw attention once more to some truly impressive performances. Any performance of Pigmalion rises and falls by the talent of it's eponymous hero, for it's three female roles are minor. Fortunately, Jean-Paul FouchÃ©court was engaged for the part. He has sometimes been described as an haute-contre, though the meaning of the term has been hotly debated of late. Suffice to say that if it refers to a high tenor voice employing no falsetto, and used to convey an emotional range from sweetly lyrical to brightly heroic in French music, then FouchÃ©court fits the bill. He excels equally in the expansive vigor of "L'Amour triomphe," as well as the delicate but elaborate coloratura of "RÃ¨gne, Amour." Niquet cuts him no slack, setting a daunting pace for the latter, but FouchÃ©court easily triumphs. The sound quality is excellent, however, spacious yet close enough to really catch the voices and instrumentals well.

Tracklist:

Ouverture
Pigmalion : Fatal Amour
CacPhise : Pigmalion, Est-Il Possible
Pigmalion : Que D'appas!
La Statue S'anime - Pigmalion : Quel Prodige!
L'amour : Du Pouvoir de L'amour
Les GraÃ¸Ces Instruisent la Statue
Tambourin... Choeurdes Peuples: CacDons, CacDons A Notre Impatience
Pigmalion/Choeur: L'amour Triomphe
Pantomme - Deuxia"Me Pantomime
Pigmalion: Ra"Gne, Amour
Air Gracieux - Ballet GacNacRal
Air Gay
Trajan : Ces Oiseaux Par Leur Doux Ramage
Air Gay
Deus Noster Refugium
Proptera Non Timebimus
Sonuerunt Et Turbatae Sunt
Fluminis Impetus
Deus in Medio Ejus
Conturbate Sunt Gentes
Dominus Virtutum Nobiscum
Venite Et Videte Opera Domini
Arcum Conteret
Dominus Virtutum Nobiscum
Quam Dilecta Tabernacula Tua
Cor Meum Et Caro Mea
Et Enim Passer Invenit Sibi Domum
Altaria Tua
Beati Qui Habitant in Domo Tua
Domine, Deus Virtutum
Domine, Virtutum, Beatus Homo
In Convertendo Dominus
Tunc Repletum Est Gaudio Nostrum
Magnificavit Dominus Facere Nobiscum
Converte, Domine, Captivatem Nostram
Laudate Nomen Dei Cum Cantico
Qui Seminant in Lacrimis
Euntes Ibant Et Flebant

UPC: 5099952202728
Label: Erato
Release Date: 5.27.08
Format: CD

Herve Niquet - Pigmalion Les Grands Motets (CD)