There is something for everyone in this collection of Isabelle Aboulker's most beautiful melodies, released in Aboulker's 80th birth year and sung here by soprano Julia Kogan. The passionate vocalises of Je t'aime sit alongside limpid fables by La Fontaine (The Crow and the Fox, The Lion in Old Age and more), while the unnerving eeriness of the merchant of souls in Au Marche de Saint-Paul contrasts with the light humour of the Savoir-vivre cycle, and the melancholy accents of Lettre d'amour make way for the irresistible charm of L'Inconstante. Isabelle's prosodic clarity and voluptuous focus on the evocative power of words speak of a deep attachment to the legacy of French song composers. In turn impetuous or melancholy, this thrilling music knows how to aim straight for the heart. A double CD for the price of one, CD1 features songs in the original French with CD2 presenting the same songs sung in English. Released in Aboulker's 80th birth year, the album features the composer at the piano and many premire recordings. "Aboulker's elegant settings of fables and etiquette tips are compelling...It's really, really enjoyable. Help make it a best-seller, and buy your copy today." Best of 2019: Classical CD, The Arts Desk, Graham Ricson, 28th December 2019