Interpreting the Songs of Jacques Leguerney

Book excerpt: Jacques Leguerney, heir to the exquisite French mélodie tradition, is beautifully served in this carefully researched and practical performance guide. The Leguerney melodies are gratifying vehicles for both singers and pianists. They reflect the nature of the man himself: elegance, grace, sophistication, and an awareness of beauty in all its forms. To be in the presence of Monsieur Leguerney, no matter how briefly, was itself an aesthetic experience. This study leads the way to establishing international recognition for a composer who so richly deserves it. Richard Miller, Wheeler Professor of Performance and Director of the Vocal Arts Center, Oberlin Conservatoty. The songs of the extraordinary composer Jacques Leguerney form a magnum opus of undeniable beauty and originality. The various aspects of his musical style are discussed in depth in this book, which is a must for performers and enthusiasts of the mélodie. Unquestionably it will help achieve the recognition that Jacques Leguerney deserves as one of the twentieth century's great song composers. Dalton Baldwin, internationally acclaimed pianist Just when we thought there wasn't a major song composer left to explore, the trio of Dibbern, Kimball and Choukroun have ,written this invaluable, much-needed study of the songs of Jacques Leguerney. Nothing is left out and all is treated with precision and detail. My hat is off to these remarkable scholars and performers who have provided us with a wealth of information that is a must in every serious art-song enthusiast's library. Chapeau! Thomas Grubb, the Juilliard School, Peabody Conservatory of Music; Houston Grand Opera, New York City Opera; author of Singing in French