Label: Naïve
You might not automatically associate Swedish mezzo Anne Sofie Von Otter with French song, but that genre means a lot to her, and she celebrates it in this quirky and interesting pair of discs. The first contains Mélodies - the more “classical” sort of French song - while the second contains some of the more “popular” Chansons.
The Hahn settings make a beautifully dreamy introduction to the Mélodies, and Von Otter later reveals his other side with the perky Quand je fus pris au pavillon and a surprisingly cheerful Cimetière de campagne. The Saint-Saëns settings show him to be a surprisingly adept and subtle setter of the French language. All three of his songs have a slightly hedonistic air to them but also a strong melodic element that prevents them from becoming cloying. As a bonus, we get the song version of the Danse Macabre - apparently predating the more famous orchestral version - which Antoine Tamestit brings alive with his viola contribution.
Grammy Award
