Irma Kolassi - The Decca Recitals - Eloquence: ELQ4824637 - 4 CDs

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Here is a lovely record. Far from becoming bored by repeated playing of it, I have found my response to the music and the interpretation steadily grow. — Gramophone Magazine, June 1954 More…

Release Date: 28th Apr 2017
Catalogue No: ELQ4824637
Label: Eloquence
Series: The Decca Recitals
Length: 4 hours 25 minutes

Usually despatched in 3 - 4 working days

trad.: La Granadina

Work length4:57

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: Serrana

Work length1:52

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: Asturiana

Work length3:05

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: Pano Murciano

Work length1:47

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: El amor es como un niño

Work length1:52

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: Las Majas madrileñas

Work length2:19

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: El Vito

Work length2:03

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: Canto Andaluz

Work length2:57

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: The Little Lamb - arr. Spathy

Work length4:04

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: The spring under the plane tree - arr. Lavda

Work length2:09

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: Rinaki

Work length2:30

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: The price of a kiss - arr. Kalomires

Work length2:08

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: Sirtos from Paros

Work length1:47

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: The priest's wife - arr. Ponirides

Work length2:30

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

anon.: Cradle Song - arr. Ponirides

Work length2:58

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

trad.: Dourou-dourou

Work length3:01

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-05
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Ravel: Cinq mélodies populaires grecques

Work length8:21

Irma Kolassi (soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

1. Le réveil de la mariée

Track length1:20

2. Là-bas, vers l'église

Track length1:55

3. Quel galant m'est comparable

Track length1:00

4. Chanson des ceuilleuses de lentisques

Track length3:01

5. Tout gai!

Track length1:05

Aubert: Le Vaincu

Work length3:19

Irma Kolassi (soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

Aubert: Le visage penché

Work length3:38

Irma Kolassi (soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

Milhaud: Poèmes Juifs, Op. 34

Work length20:36

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1953-10
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Chant de nourrice

Track length4:48

Chant de Sion

Track length2:25

Chant du laboureur

Track length2:15

Chant de la pitié

Track length2:50

Chant de résignation

Track length2:02

Chant d'amour

Track length1:49

Chant de forgeron

Track length1:24

Lamentation

Track length3:03

Falconieri: Gavotte

Work length2:18

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Handel: Alcina, HWV 34 / Act 2

Work length3:31

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Ah, mio cor"

Track length3:31

Paisiello: Gli Zingari in Fiera

Work length2:02

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Chi vuol la zingarella"

Track length2:02

Caccini, G: Amarilli mia bella

Work length3:27

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Scarlatti, A: La Donna Ancora è Fedele

Work length2:37

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Se Florindo è fedele"

Track length2:37

Monteverdi: L'Arianna, SV291

Work length2:03

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Lasciatemi morire"

Track length2:03

Excerpt, Cesti: Orontea

Work length3:55

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Intorno all'idol mio"

Track length3:55

Excerpt, Scarlatti, A: L'honesta negli amori

Work length2:06

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Già il sole dal Gange"

Track length2:06

Fauré: La chanson d'Ève, Op. 95

Work length25:52

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1953-10
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. Paradis

Track length6:56

2. Prima verba

Track length2:26

3. Roses ardentes

Track length1:35

4. Comme Dieu rayonne

Track length2:07

5. L'aube blanche

Track length1:29

6. Eau vivante

Track length1:19

7. Veilles-tu ma senteur de soleil?

Track length1:42

8. Dans un parfum de roses blanches

Track length2:11

9. Crépuscule

Track length3:01

10. O mort poussière d'étoiles

Track length3:06

Fauré: 2 Mélodies, Op. 83

Work length2:44

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

2. Soir

Track length2:44

Fauré: 3 Mélodies, Op. 18

Work length2:49

Irma Kolassi (soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

3. Automne

Track length2:49

Fauré: Cinq Melodies 'de Venise', Op. 58

Work length1:54

Irma Kolassi (soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

1. Mandoline

Track length1:54

Excerpt, Schumann: Myrthen, Op. 25

Work length4:14

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. Widmung - Du meine Seele, du mein Herz

Track length2:29

7. Die Lotusblume ängstigt sich

Track length1:45

Excerpt, Schumann: Liederkreis, Op. 39

Work length2:22

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

In der Fremde

Track length2:22

Schubert: Der Musensohn, D.764, Op. 92 No. 1

Work length1:59

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Schubert: Du bist die Ruh D776 (Rückert)

Work length4:33

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Schubert: Der Erlkonig, D.328, Op. 1

Work length4:05

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1953-03-06
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Excerpt, Scarlatti, A: Il Pompeo

Work length2:05

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Toglietemi la vita ancor"

Track length2:05

Falconieri: "Vezzosette e care pupillette"

Work length2:23

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Scarlatti, A: La Donna Ancora è Fedele

Work length2:32

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Se Florinda è fedele"

Track length2:32

Excerpt, Pergolesi: La Serva Padrona

Work length3:50

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Stizzoso, mio Stizzoso"

Track length3:50

Pergolesi: "Se tu m'ami, se sospiri"

Work length3:01

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Handel: Alcina - Act 2

Work length4:03

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Ah, mio cor"

Track length4:03

Paisiello: Gli Zingari in Fiera

Work length2:09

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

"Chi vuol la zingarella"

Track length2:09

Caccini, G: Amarilli mia bella

Work length3:56

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1955-12-02
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

Debussy: Le promenoir des deux amants

Work length6:17

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-09
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. Auprès de cette grotte sombre

Track length2:27

2. Crois mon conseil, chère Climène

Track length1:44

3. Je tremble en voyant ton visage

Track length2:06

Debussy: Fêtes galantes - Set 1

Work length4:42

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-09
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. En sourdine

Track length3:17

2. Fantoches

Track length1:25

Debussy: Trois chansons de Bilitis

Work length9:12

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), André Collard (piano)
Recorded: 1954-09
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. La flûte de Pan

Track length2:40

2. La Chevelure

Track length3:38

3. Le Tombeau des Naïades

Track length2:54

trad.: The Young Maid Of Alatsata

Work length2:47

Irma Kolassi (soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

trad.: Dourou-dourou

Work length2:54

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1952-03-04
Recording Venue: Paris

Ravel: Cinq mélodies populaires grecques

Work length8:00

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Jacqueline Bonneau (piano)
Recorded: 1954-09
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. Le réveil de la mariée

Track length1:21

2. Là-bas, vers l'église

Track length1:51

3. Quel galant m'est comparable

Track length1:00

4. Chanson des ceuilleuses de lentisques

Track length2:47

5. Tout gai!

Track length1:01

Ravel: Trois chansons madécasses

Work length13:16

André Collard (piano), Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano), Geoffrey Gilbert (flute), William Pleeth (cello)
Recorded: 1954-09
Recording Venue: Decca Studios, West Hampstead, London

1. Andante quasi allegretto: Nahandove

Track length5:15

2. Andante: Aoua! Aoua!

Track length4:08

3. Lento: Il est doux de se coucher

Track length3:53

Chausson: Poème de l'amour et de la mer, Op. 19

Work length28:23

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano)
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Louis de Froment
Recorded: 1955-05-10
Recording Venue: Kingsway Hall, London

1. La fleur des eaux

Track length12:08

2. Interlude

Track length2:40

3. La mort de l'amour

Track length13:35

Massenet: Werther / Act 3

Work length7:53

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano)
London Symphony Orchestra
Anatole Fistoulari
Recorded: 1954-10-07
Recording Venue: Kingsway Hall, London

Werther! Werther...qui m'aurait dit la place

Track length7:53

Berlioz: La damnation de Faust, Op. 24, H 111 / Pt. 4

Work length7:40

Irma Kolassi (mezzo-soprano)
London Symphony Orchestra
Anatole Fistoulari
Recorded: 1954-10-07
Recording Venue: Kingsway Hall, London

D'amour l'ardente flamme

Track length7:40

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About

Newly remastered and compiled for the first time, the complete Decca recital albums of Irma Kolassi are now available on this 4CD set from Eloquence. Born in Greece but raised in Paris, began her career as a pianist until her ‘richly regal’ (The Times) mezzo-soprano was discovered. As a vocal coach in Athens she worked with Maria Callas before relaunching her career as a recitalist back in Paris.

Decca issued ten separate releases, all recorded between June 1952 and October 1956. The range of repertoire – covering not only the usual Arie antiche and folk songs but the refined challenges of Fauré and Debussy, rarities and new songs by Milhaud, Joaquin Nin and Louis Aubert – reflects an intelligence recognised by John Steane in his Gramophone review (July 2003) of a previous reissue: ‘an exceptionally sound musician among singers … above all, she was an excellent sight-reader who happened also to have a beautiful mezzo-soprano voice.’

In the booklet’s detailed appreciation of Kolassi’s career, Tully Potter remarks that most of her best work on record is contained in these Decca recordings. When she appeared at the Wigmore Hall in London in 1955, The Times praised her ‘variety of colour and control of delivery. Thus the smoothness of a clarinet-like quality was used in the purely lyrical songs of Duparc; it became an oboe in Milhaud’s Poèmes juifs and suited the tartness of Roussel; in Debussy she sang parlando and in Ravel’s five Greek folk-song settings she launched it with freedom and simplicity upon the air.’

Two separate recordings of Ravel’s Cinq Mélodies populaires grecques offer a fascinating point of comparison. Alongside the witty and suggestive song-cycles of Ravel and Debussy (Fêtes galantes, Chansons de Bilitis), however, there are precious examples of Kolassi’s sensiviity in the realm of German art-song, with excerpts from Schumann’s Myrthen and Liederkreis Op.39, and three classic Lieder of Schubert. The final disc of this anthology gathers her rare vocal-orchestral recordings: arias from Berlioz’s La damnation de Faust and Massenet’s Werther, coupled with the refined opulence of Chausson’s Poème de l’amour et de la mer. The Chausson is shaped by Kolassi’s superb vocal control, which allows the Wagnerian lines to float free of stress on a gently rolling sea of sonority, steered by the French conductor Louis de Froment. But then Kolassi hardly made a bad record: a shame for posterity that there are so few of them, but at least all the important ones can now be enjoyed together, in up-to-date transfers.

A complementary release from Eloquence (ELQ4824621) pairs the Berlioz and Massenet items with the major duets from those operas which she recorded with Raoul Jobin.

Reviews

June 1954

Here is a lovely record. Far from becoming bored by repeated playing of it, I have found my response to the music and the interpretation steadily grow.

September 1952

The singing throughout is most intelligent, and frequently succeeds perfectly in capturing the atmosphere of the words, while Jacqueline Bonneau accompanies with great skill and sensitivity … it should certainly be in the collection of all connoisseurs of vocal art.

Irma Kolassi - The Decca Recitals

4 CDs

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