French Vocal Literature - by Georgine Resick (Paperback)

About the Book

French Vocal Literature introduces singers to the history and performance concerns of a vast body of French songs from the sixteenth century to the present, focusing on songs for solo voice or small vocal ensemble with piano or organ accompaniment suitable for recital, concert...

Book Synopsis

French Vocal Literature introduces singers to the history and performance concerns of a vast body of French songs from the sixteenth century to the present, focusing on songs for solo voice or small vocal ensemble with piano or organ accompaniment suitable for recital, concert, or church performance.

Review Quotes

A recitalist's dream! Internationally recognized artist and scholar Georgine Resick presents and celebrates overlooked treasures in French Vocal Literature, exploring historic context, poetry, and relevance. The book is an illuminating adventure--a fresh, comprehensive guide for teachers, singers, and coaches.

Beginning with 12th-century troubadours and trouvères and continuing to the present, Resick discusses French composers and their repertoires for solo voice accompanied by keyboard or small ensemble. Resick extends her focus beyond the standard repertoire (Fauré, Debussy, Poulenc) to such neglected works as troubadour songs, 18th-century cantatas, and innovative post-WW II compositions by Edgard Varèse, Pierre Boulez, Betsy Jolas, and others. The author introduces several recurring themes in French music history--the long tradition of listening to music for pleasure; exotic influences from Spain, northern Africa, the Far East, and other locales; resistance to influence from Italian opera in the Baroque and Romantic periods; and the originality and independence of French composers across nine centuries. The author contextualizes the musical selections of each period by placing them in their political, social, and/or philosophical frame, and she discusses the relationship of music to the other arts, especially poetry and literature. Important terms are introduced in bold letters and defined in a six-page glossary, and a companion website includes a discography and publication information for each song presented in the text.

Summing Up: Recommended. Upper-division undergraduates through faculty and professionals.

Many singers would find this [book] to be a welcome addition to the literature. . . The text would be a natural fit for a college vocal literature course. . . French Vocal Literature further establishes Resick's reputation as a champion of underestimated composers and their work by providing resources for future generations while honoring the legacy of generations past.

Resick synthesizes essential historical, literary, and musicological information to illuminate the origins and evolution of French vocal repertoire in a context that will inform a deep understanding of style for the performer. Don't program your next vocal recital without reading this book first!

About the Author

Georgine Resick has taught French vocal literature, diction, and performance techniques for more than twenty years. She has sung operatic roles with prominent international opera companies and orchestras and has received numerous teaching awards, performing awards, and grants. Ms. Resick champions unknown and neglected song literature and has recorded eight solo CDS in numerous languages. Her DVD of Schoenberg's Pierrot lunaire was released in 2015.