Pol Plancon singing selections from two different Fausts (Gounod & Berlioz)

Pol Plancon singing selections from two different Fausts. The first is Devant la Maison from Berlioz' Damnation of Faust (compare with my recent Renaud version). The other two are from Gounod's Faust: Le Veau d'Or and the Serenade. Recorded for G&T in 1905 and 1904. As with another recent posting, two of these cuts benefit from a far superior later pressing for the Internation Record Collectors' Club. However the sound on the earlier Serenade pressing is pretty good too. Plancon (1854-1914) enjoyed an international career and was considered by many as the finest bass/baritone of his day. Despite his heavy, deep voice he was able to negotiate these pieces with ease. And despite the very early recording dates, the clear enunciation is amazing. I have to keep reminding myself what a miracle it is to be able to listen to someone born over 150 years ago.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Pol
• Plancon
• Gounod
• Berlioz
• Faust
• G&T

[paulostroff99]

Awesome! TY.

[vstasov]

Just wonderful. Thank you.

[Imogenn]

Very nice, lovely phrasing, although I prefer Journet's version - more sinister. The most sinister one of all is Michael Bohnen though, pure devil.

[paulostroff99]

Amazing performance and sound both Bravo! TY N.

[meltzerboy]

Plancon is perhaps the greatest basso ever to have recorded. The quality and beauty of his voice is exceptional, the technique phenomenal, the diction impeccable, and the artistry superb. I particularly admire his Faust serenade, never to be matched. He was a splendid Mephisto in his day, so different from Chaliapin in his pure bel canto approach, yet equally convincing.

[m2esectr]

The Plançon record I have is "Air du Tambour Major" from Thomas' "Le Caïd", recorded 1906, as a reissue in the album "Voices from the Golden Age of Opera Vol.1". In there he has a different, softer intonation than on here.

[kspm01]

A miracle indeed being able to hear someone from such a remote era, moreover in stunning sound quality!

[AulicExclusiva]

Plançon may have been born as early as 1848. His sense of rhythm and immaculate diction are wonderful. He was perhaps a more imaginative interpreter than Renaud, and there was nothing he couldn't do technically. These are all touchstone performances, supreme in every way. Marvelous sound.

[tHEnOOSEsWING]

This is an excellent composite. Thank you.

[transformingArt]

Oh, yes, like you said, it's really amazing to hear somebody from two centuries ago..I recently got a recording of Edouard Colonne(conductor) made in 1900s, and I was pretty amazed to hear someone who conducted the premieres of Verdi and Puccini and Brahms..

I have the same identical pressings. I believe you also have the Batwing pressings of this records, as I can recollect.

But anyway, this sounds much better than my copy. Thanks for posting...