Hymne à l’amour
Hymne à l’amour is an exquisite collection of art songs sung by soprano Siobhan Stagg and accompanied by Amir Farid. The songs illustrate the frailty of the human condition through flirtation, deep love and heartbreaking truths.
The album's title, Hymne à l'amour, comes from the song by the great French chanteuse, Edith Piaf. This is an exquisite collection of romantic art songs, from beautiful classics by Schubert and Liszt, to a brand new piece composed by one of Siobhan's singing teachers in Melbourne, Dermot Tutty. Siobhan has been singing some of the songs since she was at school in Mildura, while others are recent additions to her repertoire since moving to the UK. All of them contain elements of utter beauty and honesty and special meaning for her.
Composed specifically to highlight the importance of the partnership between singer and pianist, the genre of art song provides an ideal outlet through which to showcase Siobhan and Amir’s individual talents, as well as their artistic warmth as a duo. This is their first studio album together.
Both were first prize winners of the 2012 Mietta Song Competition in separate awards to singer and accompanist.
Artists
Siobhan Stagg
With a voice of “ravishing tone” and “radiant” stage presence (The Age), Australian soprano Siobhan Stagg is a rising star on the brink of an international career.
Amir Farid
Pianist Amir Farid has been described as "a highly creative musician - a pianist of great intelligence and integrity. He brings strong musical substance to all that he does, imbuing it with his own particular experience and understanding", and who "in a well populated field...distinguishes himself for all the right reasons".
Press quotes
“This recital of art songs by soprano Siobhan Stagg and pianist Amir Farid served to introduce their CD of the same name. More a sensual, rich celebration of love than a hymn, this was a well-paced and varied program that was essentially mirrored in the recording. Featuring a young singer who already has a number of awards and favourable reviews to her credit, and one of the most sensitive accompanists in town, Hymne a l’amour could hardly be anything but a success, and so it proved. There to review the concert, I nevertheless purchased a copy of the CD after hearing it. No deals, no discounts – with my own money. What more need I say?” ★★★★½
Read full review— Suzanne Yanko, artsHub
“These two skilled, accomplished and committed artists gave a wonderful concert of art songs, on the fruitful theme of love, at the Melbourne Recital Centre on Saturday 6th April. The varied, attractive and finely chosen program drew songs from composers such as Schubert and Duparc to Elgar, Bellini and contemporary Australian Dermot Tutty, whose O Where Is the Dove?, with his own lyrics, was a particular highlight. ... One splendid melody followed another, by Schubert, Hugo Wolf, Richard Strauss, and the finale was Hymne à l’amour, lyrics by Edith Piaf and music by Marguerite Monnot, composer of Irma la Douce. Siobhan Stagg has a warm, skilful voice, accurate and flexible with a beautiful tone and sensitive phrasing, and is well matched by her brilliant accompanist, Amir Farid. The intelligence, generosity and range of this concert were remarkable, and I am glad to relate that the songs have been recorded by Move Records, itself a solid supporter of Australian performers and composers over several decades. If you missed the concert, purchase of the CD is strongly advised!”
Read full review— Darryl Emmerson, Australian Stage
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Les Filles de Cadix Léo Delibes 3:09
- Du bist die Ruh Franz Schubert 4:08
- Die liebe Farbe Dermot Tutty 5:45
- Oh! Quand je dors Franz Liszt 5:02
- Chanson Triste Henri Duparc 3:34
- La Vie antérieure Henri Duparc 4:42
- Zueignung Richard Strauss 1:48
- Kennst du das Land? Hugo Wolf 6:36
- La Zingara Gaetano Donizetti 3:59
- Ma rendi pur contento Vincenzo Bellini 2:41
- Fair house of Joy Roger Quilter 2:24
- Like to the Damask Rose Sir Edward Elgar 3:26
- Kaddisch Maurice Ravel 5:08
- Hymne à l'amour Edith Piaf 2:50
Performers
- Siobhan Stagg
- Amir Farid · piano
Composers
Franz Schubert
Franz Peter Schubert was an Austrian composer. Today, Schubert is admired as one of the leading exponents of the early Romantic era in music and he remains one of the most frequently performed composers.
Franz Liszt
Franz Liszt (1811–1886) was a 19th-century Hungarian composer, pianist, conductor, and teacher. As a composer, Liszt was one of the most prominent representatives of the "Neudeutsche Schule" ("New German School").
Maurice Ravel
Many consider Ravel as a major composer for the piano as well as a genius of orchestration. But it is always a surprise to discover how few works make up his total output for the instrument. All his compositions for piano can be performed in under two and one half hours.
Where to buy
Hymne à l’amour is available for download from the iTunes Music Store.
It's available for streaming through
Spotify and
Apple Music.
Hymne à l’amour is available as as CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer secure online ordering.
Move CDs can be ordered through music retailers across Australia including Readings.
