"No voice teacher, no coach, no accompanist, no singer, and for that matter, no music-lover should be without this publication . . . from a man whose knowledge of this repertoire is so complete and profound as to make his treatment of it definitive and without equal." ―Notes This is the standard work on its subject, and its author the outstanding authority. Pierre Bernac had a long and distinguished career as a singer, specializing in the French song (or mélodie) repertoire. For many years he was incomparable partnered by Francis Poulenc, one of the composers discussed in this book. M. Bernac later taught and gave master classes in Europe and the United States. He died in 1979. Among eighteen composers whose vocal works are covered in the book are Berlioz, Gounod, Duparc, Chausson, Fauré, Debussy, Satie, Ravel―as well as Poulenc and others. The greater part of each composer's output in the genre is discussed: texts of nearly 200 songs are given in French, with line-for-line verse translations by Winifred Radford, notes on pronunciation, and simple but detailed suggestion for performance and interpretation. Preceding these sections on the songs themselves are three most important chapters on performance and interpretation in vocal music, on singing in French, and on the particular problems involved in the interpretation of French mélodies. This is the book every serious singer needs―and, more and more, singers are "discovering" French song. It is also an invaluable guide for the concert-goer and record collector.

The interpretation of French song;

Arts & Photography

BERNAC, Pierre

Radford, Winifred

Music

Praeger Publishers

"No voice teacher, no coach, no accompanist, no singer, and for that matter, no music-lover should be without this publication . . . from a man whose knowledge of this repertoire is so complete and profound as to make his treatment of it definitive and without equal." ―Notes This is the standard work on its subject, and its author the outstanding authority. Pierre Bernac had a long and distinguished career as a singer, specializing in the French song (or mélodie) repertoire. For many years he was incomparable partnered by Francis Poulenc, one of the composers discussed in this book. M. Bernac later taught and gave master classes in Europe and the United States. He died in 1979. Among eighteen composers whose vocal works are covered in the book are Berlioz, Gounod, Duparc, Chausson, Fauré, Debussy, Satie, Ravel―as well as Poulenc and others. The greater part of each composer's output in the genre is discussed: texts of nearly 200 songs are given in French, with line-for-line verse translations by Winifred Radford, notes on pronunciation, and simple but detailed suggestion for performance and interpretation. Preceding these sections on the songs themselves are three most important chapters on performance and interpretation in vocal music, on singing in French, and on the particular problems involved in the interpretation of French mélodies. This is the book every serious singer needs―and, more and more, singers are "discovering" French song. It is also an invaluable guide for the concert-goer and record collector.

The Interpretation of French Song (Norton Library (Paperback)) (N878)

W.W.Norton&Company

Pierre Bernac aimed in this book to pass on his personal understanding of the songs of Francis Poulenc as well as a little of their mutual experience in interpreting and performing them. He has thereby left a unique record whose importance cannot be overestimated. Each of the 137 poems is annotated for pronunciation, with a line-for-line translation into English by Winifred Radford, who also translated the text of the book.

Francis Poulenc: The man and his songs

V. Gollancz

The Interpretation of French Song

First published in 1970, this work on the art of the French melodie, is suitable for singers, accompanists and concert-goers alike. The book covers 18 composers, including Berlois, Gounod, Duparc, Chausson, Faure, Debussy, Ravel, Satie and Poulenc. Texts of nearly 200 songs are given in French, and also included are notes on pronunciation, and simple but detailed suggestions for performance and interpretation.

Kahn & Averill

Pierre Bernac aimed in this book to pass on his personal understanding of the songs of Francis Poulenc as well as a little of their mutual experience in interpreting and performing them. He has thereby left a unique record whose importance cannot be overestimated. Each of the 137 poems is annotated for pronunciation, with a line-for-line translation into English by Winifred Radford, who also translated the text of the book.

Francis Poulenc: The Man and his Songs

Biographies & Memoirs

Arts & Literature