Single voice choirs inevitably make you think of sombre boarding schools? Then this recording may change your mind... Indeed, the great French composers of the nineteenth century wrote true little masterpieces, filled with wit, humour and charm(s) for budding young maidens. The Choeur de Jeunes of Théâtre Royal de La Monnaie, accompanied by Guy Penson on a superb Erard, invites us to discover the best pieces César Franck, Léo Delibes, Gabriel Fauré and Gabriel Pierné left us in this field. The Six duos and Premier sourire de mai by Franck, pages dating from his fully mature period, would suffice to justify the publication of this disc, of which most pieces have never been recorded before. The fascinating charm of Delibes, Fauré and Pierné will cast a spell on you! A couple of rare piano works by Franck and Delibes complete this enchanting fin-de-siècle picture.
