Douce France : mélodies & chansons

"Benjamin Bernheim can certainly create a transformative musical moment ... demonstrated in the midst of the Stade de France at the Paris Olympics closing ceremony. For 'Douce France' he takes two cycles usually accompanied by orchestra and transfers them to the intimacy of the recital ... Pianist Carrie-Ann Matheson's judicious transcriptions facilitate fresh perspectives ... After the intense emotions of the two cycles and a beautifully sung selection of Duparc, Bernheim effortlessly makes the transition to the concluding triptych of putatively lighter songs [Kosma's 'Les feuilles mortes', Trenet's 'Douce France' and Brel's 'Quand on n'a que l'amour] ... builds magnificently from descrete confidences to impassioned declarations to bring the house down on an impressive album".