In the early 2000s, Wolfgang Holzmair portrayed a generous and passionate Pelléas in Paris, conducted by Bernard Haitink who was the chief conductor of the Orchestre National de France. His warm, luminous timbre is, at times, reminiscent of Camille Maurane, and his French is remarkable for a singer born in Austria.
What a treat to rediscover this magnificent recital of French melodies that was made for Philips in August 1995 (St John's, Smith Square, London). Holzmair makes no attempt to be unique for the sake of being unique. He’s devoted to the original works of Fauré, Duparc and Ravel (particularly Fauré), and instead stands out for his concern for clear elocution. And he doesn’t disappoint!
There’s no doubt that those who are harder to please will still find flaws in his diction (it does lacks vowels in places) but, even so, many passages can only arouse the greatest of respect. The songs are so beautiful, and they’re sung in such wonderful French. Just listen to his voice in the coda of Reflets dans l’eau, the stunning second part of Mirages, Op. 113... “Et puis le miroir enchanté reprendra sa limpidité, froide et sereine”. In those three minutes, Holzmair displays incredible vocal technique: a single line, a single breath. It serves as reminder that Fauré’s lines are ultimately instrumental. Other impressive moments can be found in J’ai presque peur, en verité (No. 5 from La Bonne Chanson) and in Sérénade (“papillon séducteur”) by Duparc. The six selected Duparc melodies remain memorably elegant, and Holzmair proves that he’s willing to take risks to produce powerful music. An absolute must-listen. © Pierre-Yves Lascar/Qobuz