Laurent Naouri - En sourdine - Presto Classical
If, like me, you’re a fan of Naouri’s handsome, imposing portraits of operatic villains, the soft-focus delights of this beautifully intimate recital of French song might take you a little by surprise on several levels: swapping out the piano for guitar shines a seductive, dimmed light on these favourites by Fauré, Debussy and Poulenc, with the raindrops of Fauré’s Spleen falling with special magic thanks to the unusual instrumentation. It’s simply gorgeous.