Audio CD
SPARS Code: A-D
Number of Discs: 1
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Testament
Size: 154 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
01. No. 1 in A minor, Op. 26
02. No. 2 in G major, Op. 41
03. No. 3 in G flat major, Op. 42
04. No. 4 in A flat major, Op. 44
05. No. 5 in F sharp minor, Op. 66
06. No. 6 in E flat major, Op. 70
07. No. 7 in D minor, Op. 90
08. No. 8 in D flat major, Op. 96
09. No. 9 in A minor, Op. 101
10. No. 10 in A minor, Op. 104/2
11. No. 11 in G minor, Op. 105
12. No. 12 in E flat major, Op.106bis
13. No. 13 in C major, Op. 116
14 à 25. Thème et variations, for piano in C sharp minor, Op. 73
Germaine Thyssens-Valentin (piano), 1956
Germaine Thyssens-Valentin (1902-87) is rarely mentioned among the great pianists of the 20th century – her 25 years hiatus from the concert hall in order to raise her family, and the scarcity of recordings that was the consequence, probably explains why. But Testament’s series of Fauré piano music makes a strong case for counting her among the great ones; she is, indeed, an extraordinary artist. The music is always superbly phrased and emerges as marvelously argued masterpieces of subtle shifts in colors and hues and subtle shifts in atmospheres, moods and emotions; what is, perhaps, most striking about Thyssens- Valentin’s performances is the fabulously realized intimacy of the music. And equally miraculous is the sheer beauty of her sound, the songfulness, the delicacy of touch (required to realizes all the delicate colors that are there) and refined rhythmic sensibility. The Barcarolles exhibit many of the virtues of the Nocturnes (though aren’t generally quite in their league), intimate and understated expressions of mixed, almost elusive emotions, tender and songful but not without touches of humor. They are suitably coupled with the rare, wonderful Theme & Variations, in which the subtly diverse variations are marvelously characterized, each and everyone with its own characteristic mood. The sound quality is clear and generally fine, though a little recessed. Still, this is a wonderful disc, strongly recommended.