On Clairi�res, Grammy Award-nominated tenor Nicholas Phan and pianist Myra Huang pay homage to Lili and Nadia Boulanger, two exceptional composers of the 20th century who have often been overlooked in favour of their male counterparts. At the heart of the album is Lili's song cycle Clairi�res dans le ciel. Alongside are a selection of songs set to poetry by the sisters' contemporaries Verlaine, Maeterlinck, Jammes and Samain.
Grammy Award-nominated tenor Nicholas Phan and pianist Myra Huang pay homage to two exceptional composers of the 20th century who have often been overlooked in favour of their male counterparts � Lili and Nadia Boulanger. Nadia is the better known of the two, primarily for her tutelage of such great composers as Aaron Copland, Philip Glass and Astor Piazzolla, but was a highly respected composer during the years of the Belle �poque. Her younger sister Lili was the first female Grand Prize winner of the Prix du Rome; her compositional legacy was cut short by her death at the age of 24. At the heart of this release is Lili's innovative, 13-part song cycle Clairi�res dans le ciel. Alongside are a selection of literary songs set to poetry by the sisters' contemporaries Paul Verlaine, Maurice Maeterlinck, Francis Jammes and Albert Samain.
CRITICAL ACCLAIM FOR NICHOLAS PHAN
he is an outstanding interpreter of French song, and Huang is an equally attentive partner. It's hard to imagine these Boulanger songs could have more convincing advocacy. � The Guardian, January 2020
one of the most beautiful young lyric voices around � Opera News
Phan's singing is both sultry and refined � WQXR-NYC (on Illuminations, AV2382)
There are so many jewels here � Phan's sheer sensitivity is a delight. An absorbing disc and an ideal introduction to the joys of lieder. � TheArtsDesk.com (on Gods & Monsters, AV2368)
