It was in 1972, when he was singing at Glyndebourne, that Cuenod began recording for Nimbus. In these records he leaves a unique and precious account of French song, which, incidentally, he taught every year in Europe and the United States. This album of Fauré and Duparc has never previously been released. Hugues Cuenod was between seventy and seventy-six at the time and the result is miraculous. Hear how skilfully he 'speaks' the text like an actor, with perfect diction and clarity. His style is admirably simple and natural, which is the most difficult thing to achieve in the very special art of the French 'mélodie'. He never descends into sentimentality or over-interpretation, temptations to which many singers of both sexes too often succumb.