Complete Songs of Duparc

★★★★★ "Martineau and the four singers all bring a thoughtfulness and profound consideration to the performances, we very rarely simply luxuriate in the simple beauty of sound. And whilst there is plenty of that, each song is a profoundly expressive microcosm, bringing alive the composer's complex and fascinating interior life" - Planet Hugill

★★★★ "The best single performance comes from the young and splendidly named baritone Huw Montague Rendall, who really captures the way Phydilé begins in calm radiance, seems to end ecstatically, and then surges to a whole new level of passion. Pianist Malcolm Martineau is hyper-alert to all the little details in the super-refined piano parts that change the emotional colour…Overall these are wonderful recordings, which shine a bright light on these lonely eminences in French art song" - The Telegraph

★★★★ Performance ★★★★ Recording "Four singers are involved, together with the expertly collaborative pianist Malcolm Martineau…a high standard is attained by all participants" - BBC Music Magazine

Editors Choice ★★★★ "Complete collection proves Duparc a master of the art song…What a lovely release this is, and one to revisit for endless listening pleasure…It's an ideal introduction to the composer's sophisticated sound world. Pianist Malcolm Martineau is in superb partnership with each singer, his playing unstintingly refined and expressive." - Limelight Magazine

Top albums of 2022 - VOICE "Martineau on piano really knows how to draw the best from each artist on this recording and his spirited performance in Phidyelé shows that he is a talented pianist in his own right." Art Muse London

"The present offering, masterminded by the indefatigable Malcolm Martineau, can definitely be the starting point for the curious…truly excellent" - Musicweb International

"This is very much a recording in which we're aware of Duparc's edginess as well as his beauty…There's a terrific and consistently persuasive grandeur and sweep in much of Martineau's playing…This is a fine and fascinating addition to his discography" - Gramophone Award Finalist 2023 - Song

★★★★ "[Martineau] works extremely well with each of the four singers…Sarah Connolly, who is doubtless luxuriant but also adds a wonderful world-weariness in several of her songs. There's a nice division between established singers and up-and-comers here, and rising tenor Nicky Spence is just right in the ardent Sérénade Florentine, which is just what the title implies. This is a Duparc recital that brings out the composer's Wagnerian qualities and one that showcases a quartet of singers in an unusually effective way" - AllMusic.com