Pol Plançon, Massenet: "Si tu veux, Mignonne" (rec. 1905)

[meltzerboy]

Plancon is probably the finest bass on disc. The splendid beauty of his voice, his exquisite phrasing, crystal-clear enunciation, and exceptional florid technique are hardly equaled by any other singer. Thanks for posting this rarity, Tim!

[meltzerboy]

@meltzerboy And, as stated by others, Plancon is so very French in his elegant style.

[EdmundStAustell]

This has to be the epitome of French singing:  as pointed out, the enunciation, the elegance are simply stunning. Great singing!

[AulicExclusiva]

Marvelous singing, of course. Even more amazing and now unique is his phrasing and enunciation: there is simply no singer around today who can handle French words like this. Reynaldo Hahn made an even more expressive recording of this song; enunciation of this sort was once the key to the French school of singing. Very far indeed from the plebeyan gargling one hears from the pitiful Roberto Alagna or Nathalie Dessay.

[mayatatyana1]

Tim, exquisite voice! Thank you. Wonderful photos. Maya

[titaruffo2]

Si tu veux, Mignonne, au printemps Nous verrons fleurir l'aubépine Qui sème dans les prés naissants La neige de sa tête fine, Si tu veux, Mignonne, au printemps Nous verrons fleurir l'aubépine! Si tu veux, quand viendra l'été, Nous écouterons dans les branches Les chants d'amour et da gaîté, Des petites colombes blanches, Si tu veux, quand viendra l'été, Nous écouterons dans les branches!

[dantitustimshu]

@titaruffo2 Many thanks, Leo, for your kind generosity in providing the original French text.

[titaruffo2]

Nous irons dans les bois jaunis, Si tu veux, quand viendra l'automne, Pour qu'elles aient chaud dans leurs nids Leur porter des brins d'anémone, Si tu veux, Mignonne, Nous irons dans les bois jaunis, Si tu veux, quand viendra l'automne... Et puis, quand reviendra l'hiver... Nous nous ressouviendrons des roses, Du printemps, et du sentier vert Où tu m'as juré tant de choses! Alors... quand reviendra l'hiver Nous nous ressouviendrons des roses! Si tu veux, Mignonne!

[paulostroff99]

Wondrous singing.TY Tim

[billyguns2]

Exquisite singing; we are fortunate that men's voices were captured much better than women's in the first part of the twentieth century.