Ensemble Renouveau – Partons la mer est belle

Let’s call it a classical, lyrical tribute to the Cahiers de La Bonne Chanson (a historical collection of Québécois folk and early popular songs). “A home that sings is a happy home,” said Abbé Charles-Émile Gadbois, founder of these publications, to emphasise the importance of his mission. He succeeded quite well in this, as the melodies and texts present in those Cahiers are numerous and have become classics hummed by the lips of little Quebecers for several generations.

The Ensemble Renouveau, consisting of two lyric sopranos, a violin, a cello, and a piano, performs several of the most iconic pieces, such as Partons, la mer est belle; Isabeau s’y promène; La belle Françoise; Au chant de l’alouette, and others less famous but equally rooted.

What stands out are the arrangements, of very high quality, made by Simon Desbiens. There is much pleasure in observing the beautiful lines intertwining with the strings and piano, in harmonies beautifully enriched but never distorting the original melodies. While remaining anchored in the generally quite simple melodic base of the majority of the program’s pieces, Desbiens knows how to construct musical games that would not have displeased certain romantic composers accustomed to lyrical songs. It’s refined and elegant. Hats off for that.

On the vocal side, the result is more ambiguous. The frankly lyrical approach chosen in several tracks, with a vibrato that would seem opulent even in an opera repertoire, weighs down the pieces and opposes their narrative simplicity. An example among others: La belle Françoise, whose arrangements of very subtle delicacy seem overwhelmed by the vocal strength.

On the contrary, the greater ventilation of the vocal instrument in Isabeau s’y promène, or Dansons ma bergère joliment, confirms that this choice would have made more sense if it had been the same everywhere.

In this genre, Suzie LeBlanc did very well in her album Chants d’Acadie/La mer jolie. It must be said that Suzie LeBlanc’s naturally light soprano, suited to baroque singing, connects ideally with the folk repertoire.

An album with beautiful qualities, but which would have benefited from a more authentic vocal approach.

Carole-Anne Roussel: soprano

Evelyne Larochelle: soprano

Jessy Dubé: violin

Simon Desbiens: cello

Bruce Gaulin: piano

Simon Desbiens: arrangements, compositions, and musical direction