MARIE-JOSEPH CANTELOUBE DE MALARET: SONGS FROM THE...

MARIE-JOSEPH CANTELOUBE DE MALARET: SONGS FROM THE AUVERGNE. Kiri Te Kanawa, soprano with Jeffrey Tate conducting the English Chamber Orchestra. London compact discs 410 004 and 411 730. Netania Davrath, soprano. Vanguard compact discs CD K337 151-2. These five books of folk settings are irresistible and each soprano offers something different. Davrath’s exquisite version was released 20 years ago and is as colorful a reading as ever recorded. She is a graceful singer who understands the earthy nature of many of the songs and delivers them, when appropriate, in a biting fashion. Te Kanawa offers a more sweetly sung, smooth edition, with a gorgeous interpretation of “Bailero.” The modern London sound is superior to Vanguard’s more-than-adequate analog recording. Davrath’s second volume contains 10 French folk songs also arranged by Canteloube, an intelligent filler; Te Kanawa sings Villa-Lobos’ Bachianas Brasileiras No. 5 for soprano and cello. The cellist? None other than Lynn Harrell.