Suite de danses pour piano

On this CD:

1. Suite for piano in F sharp minor, Op 14/1-4, complete
Composed by Albert Roussel
Performed by Jean-Pierre Ferey

2. Gavotte with 6 doubles, for harpsichord (Nouvelles suites)
Composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Performed by Jean-Pierre Ferey

3. Work(s) for harpsichord
Composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Performed by Jean-Pierre Ferey

4. La Villageoise, for harpsichord (Pièces de clavecin avec une méthode)
Composed by Jean-Philippe Rameau
Performed by Jean-Pierre Ferey

5. Miroirs, for piano (or orchestra) Alborada del gracioso
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Jean-Pierre Ferey

6. Romanian Folk Dances (6), for piano (Román népi táncok), Sz. 56, BB 68
Composed by Bela Bartok
Performed by Jean-Pierre Ferey

Tracks:

For Relaxation: Prelude: L'Apres-midi d'un faune (Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun)
For Relaxation: Suite Bergamasque: 3 - Clair de Lune
For Relaxation: Reverie
For Relaxation: Preludes, Book 1 No. 4: Les sons et les parfums tournent dans l'air du soir (Sounds And Perfumes Stir In The Evening Air)
For Relaxation: Quartet In G Minor, Op. 10: 3 - Andantino, doucement expressif
For Relaxation: Fantaisie pour piano et orchestre: 2 - Lento et molto espressivo
For Relaxation: La plus que lente
For Relaxation: Nocturnes: Nuages (Clouds)
For Relaxation: Preludes, Book 1 No. 8: La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl With The Flaxen Hair)
For Relaxation: Children's Corner: V - Le petit berger (The Little Shepherd)
For Relaxation: Pour le piano: Sarabande
For Relaxation: Danse sacree et danse profane

Customer Reviews:

Debussy is the BEST.......2002-03-05

This CD is Excellent for relaxing. I listen to it every night.

Beautiful!.......2001-03-14

If you are new to Debussy, this CD is great to start. If you are already a fan, this CD is the perfect weekend companion. It features a well chosen selection of pieces from several of his works, both orchestral and solo piano. Best of all (as the title indicates) these pieces are all adagio/lento that are pleasant to listen to and relax... It is also very well priced, so it is a good CD to recommend.

Debussy IS for Relaxation.......2000-06-13

This CD's title says it all - just for relaxation.

Debussy is for soul searching time, contemplation of the universe or just vegging out.

Tracks:

Suite Bergamasque: Clair de lune
The Sea At Dawn
Dances For Harp & Orchestra - Sacred Dance
Suite Bergamasque: Prelude
La Plus Que Lente
La fille aux cheveux de lin (The Girl With The Flaxen Hair)
Prelude No. 11 For Composed Arpeggios
Nocturnes for Orchestra - Nuages
Pour le piano - Sarabande
Images: Lent
Images: Souvenir de Louvre
Images: Images - Book 1, Reflections In The Water
Images: Rhapsody For Clarinet & Orchestra
Images: Nocturnes for Orchestra - Sirenes

Customer Reviews:

An absolute joy.......2006-01-26

So many pieces on this album are jewels. "Le fille aux cheveux de lin" and "Nocturnes for Orchestra - Sirenes" are particularly heavenly. "The Sea at Dawn" has an amazing sense of freshness and motion to it and is well placed at the beginning of the CD. A few of the songs on here make excellent background music but lack memorable themes. I wish I could wake up to this CD every morning, truly.

CD review.......2003-04-06

This is a great debussy CD. This CD is my introduction to Debussy, and now debussy is one of my favorite composers. The music in here is relaxing. The performances are excellent also. One complaint, however, is there is a repeat. There are two of the same pieces on the CD. Overall, this is a great CD.

Average customer rating:

Piano Fantasy: Music for Two Pianos

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B00008CLIF
Release Date: 2003-10-14

Average customer rating:

The only set you need
Outstanding performances at any price
More Evocative than some of Mahler's Symphonies
One stop shopping! Unparalleled Debussy, and excellent Ravel
In Debussy Martinon is unbeatble!

Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Claude Debussy , Jean Martinon , and Orchestre de Paris
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006HM8X
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

I: De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer - Jean Martinon
II: Jeux De Vagues - Jean Martinon
III: Dialogue Du Vent Et De La Mer - Jean Martinon
I: Nuages - Jean Martinon
II: Fetes - Jean Martinon
III: Sirenes - Choeurs De L'Ortf
Prelude A L'apres-midi D'un Faune - Alain Marion
Marche Ecossaise - Jean Martinon
Berceuse Heroique - Jean Martinon
I: Fanfare - Jean Martinon
II: Le Sommeil De Lear - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

Jeux (Poeme Danse) - Jean Martinon
1. Gigues/2. Iberia - Jean Martinon
I: Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins - Jean Martinon
II: Les Parfums De La Nuit - Jean Martinon
III: Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete - Jean Martinon
3. Rondes De Printemps - Jean Martinon
Premiere Partie - Jean Martinon
Deuxieme Partie - Fabienne Boury

Tracks:

1. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum - Jules Goetgheluck
2. Jimbo's Lullaby - Jules Goetgheluck
3. Serenade For The Doll - Jules Goetgheluck
4. The Snow Is Dancing - Jules Goetgheluck
5. The Little Shepherd - Jules Goetgheluck
6. Golliwoggs Cakewalk - Jules Goetgheluck
I: En Bateau - Jean Martinon
II: Cortege - Jean Martinon
III: Menuet - Jean Martinon
IV: Ballet - Jean Martinon
I: Danse Sacree - Marie-Claire Jamet
II: Danse Profane - Marie-Claire Jamet
I: Le Magasin De Jouets - Jean Martinon
II: Le Champ De Bataille - Jean Martinon
III: La Bergerie A Vendre - Jean Martinon
IV: Apres Fortune Faite - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

I: Andante - Allegro - Aldo Ciccolini
II: Lento E Molto Espressivo - Aldo Ciccolini
III: Allegro Molto - Aldo Ciccolini
La Plus Que Lente - John Leach
Premiere Rapsodie Pour Orchestre Avec Clarinette Principale - Guy Dangain
Rapsodie Pour Orchestre Et Saxophone Solo - Jean-Marie Loneix
Khamma - Fabienne Boury
Danse: Tarantelle Styrienne - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

Bolero - Marcel Galiegue
Une Barque Sur L'Ocean (Miroirs: No.3) - Orchestre De Paris
Prelude - Orchestre De Paris
Premier Tableau: Danse Du Rouet Et Scene - Orchestre De Paris
Deuxieme Tableau: Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Troisieme Tableau: Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Quatrieme Tableau: Petit Poucet - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Cinquieme Tableau: Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes - Orchestre De Paris
Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
Sixieme Tableau: Le Jardin Feerique - Orchestre De Paris
Alborada Del Gracioso (Miroirs: No.4) - Andre Sennedat
I: Prelude A La Nuit - Orchestre De Paris
II: Malaguena - Orchestre De Paris
III: Habanera - Orchestre De Paris
IV: Feria - Orchestre De Paris

Tracks:

Sheherazade: Ouverture De Feerie - Orchestre De Paris
La Valse (Poeme Choregraphique) - Orchestre De Paris
I: Prelude - Orchestre De Paris
II: Forlane - Orchestre De Paris
III: Menuet - Orchestre De Paris
IV: Rigaudon - Orchestre De Paris
Menuet Antique - Orchestre De Paris
Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Michel Garcin-Marrou
1. Modere - Orchestre De Paris
2. Assez Lent - Orchestre De Paris
3. Modere - Orchestre De Paris
4. Assez Anime - Orchestre De Paris
5. Presque Lent - Orchestre De Paris
6. Assez Vif - Orchestre De Paris
7. Moins Vif - Orchestre De Paris
8. Epilogue: Lent - Orchestre De Paris

Tracks:

Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Religieuse - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Generale - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Grotesque De Dorcon - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Legere Et Gracieuse De Daphnis - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Nocturne - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Lente Et Mysterieuse Des Nymphes - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Interlude - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danses Guerrieres Et Diverses - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Suppliante De Chloe - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Lever Du Jour - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Pantomime - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
Danse Generale - Bacchanale - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera

Tracks:

Lento - Aldo Ciccolini
Piu Lento - Aldo Ciccolini
Allegro - Aldo Ciccolini
I: Allegramente - Jean-Claude Malgoire
II: Adagio Assai - Jean-Claude Malgoire
III: Presto - Jean-Claude Malgoire
Lento, Quasi Cadenza - Moderato - Itzhak Perlman

Amazon.com

At long last, Jean Martinon's classic EMI Debussy and Ravel cycles from the 1970s have been gathered in a space-saving, budget-priced box set. If you love this repertoire, you'll gasp with joy at the conductor's crystal-clear orchestral balances, which truly reproduce what you see in the printed music. If you respond to a lean, sinewy approach to this repertoire in the manner of Toscanini and Boulez, but pine for the timbral characteristics that used to distinguish French orchestras (silver-coated strings, tart woodwinds, and slightly watery brass) in gorgeous, vibrant sonics, Martinon's your man. Aldo Ciccolini's crisp, diamond-edged finger work stands out in Ravel's two piano concertos and in Debussy's rarely heard Fantasie. The young Itzhak Perlman's dazzling, effortless traversal of Ravel's Tzigane will humble many an aspiring fiddler. And you won't find a more sparkling, translucent Ravel Mother Goose Suite on record. Martinon was a marvel, and a sadly underrated podium giant. Grab this set while you can. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

The only set you need.......2006-01-13

After owning dozens of Debussy, Ravel recordings, all I can say is ,
if you have this set, no need to look further.
My Ingelbrecht sets are good, but Martinon is better.
Forget the Munch and Monteaux, Bernsteins, Levine, Karajan (UUCCKKKK) etc etc.

Outstanding performances at any price.......2005-04-28

This boxed set provides a comprehensive collection of the orchestral works of both Debussy and Ravel. Jean Martinon conducts the Orchestre National de l'ORTF in the Debussy and the Orchestre de Paris in the Ravel pieces. The sound is stunning, and the performances are extraordinarily engaging. I have other sets of music by these composers (Simon and the Philharmonia Orchestra for the Debussy) Michal Tilson Thomas and the LSO as well as Boulez and the Berlin Philharmonic for some of the Ravel pieces (Boulez and the NY Phil for Daphnis and Chloe) but these other sets do not contain all the music in the 8 CDs by Martinon and his orchestras. I agree with the other reviewers who find the Debussy especially compelling. I am listening to La Mer now, and the recording captures the performance perfectly, clearly separating the horns, strings and woodwinds and providing a great balance. This is a very dramatic reading of La Mer! However, I find the Ravel performances equally inspired. The Daphnis and Chloe performance is tremendously exciting, and the ballet Ma Mere l'Oye is exquisite. When I decided to buy this set, I was looking for performances that would give me new insight into familiar works and also introduce me to some musical treats like Debussy's La Boite a Joujoux. I was not disappointed. This set is not just a bargain, it's a real treasure!

More Evocative than some of Mahler's Symphonies.......2005-01-25

I can't exactly visualise the oils of the French impressionists when hearing these pieces. But I do know what the other reviewer is talking about and the point is well made. They are so inspiring and evocative that they touch your heart strings perhaps deeper than most of Mahler's symphonies despite Mahler's gigantic orchetrations! The recorded sound is excellent: and the conductor is obviously gifted and the orchestra is just beautiful despite the fact that I am no big fan of either Ciccolini or Perlman. Believe it or not, in Hong Kong HK Records and HMV are selling the boxset at about 60% of the listed price in US: a real bargain. Grap it while it is still available, particularly those who live in HK.

One stop shopping! Unparalleled Debussy, and excellent Ravel.......2004-11-21

I've treasured both of these cycles since the 1970s when both appeared in single LP installements, each one eagerly awaited with deserved anticipation. To get them both in outstanding remasterings in a bargain priced box set is almost unthinkable. I'd pay twice the price, even more, if I had to for these recordings.

Other recordings of individual works may excel these, like Karajan's La Mer, or Monteux's Daphnis, Haitink's Nocturnes, and so on. But when listened to in such consistent interpretations as these from Jean Martinon, the works as a whole take on a different dimension. Each work is like a chapter in a novel, and they all weave together to make a very satisfying experience that is quite different than one gets with just the individual compositions.

That is especially true of the Debussy.

Two different Orchestras are represented. The Debussy are performed by the French National Orchestra, the Ravel by the more well known Orchestre De Paris, an orchestra that made recordings in those days with such notables as Kerbert von Karajan and Seiji Ozawa. The Debussy, though is actually better executed. The ensemble is tighter, the string tone more sumptuous.

The Debussy has no competition for completeness. No other conductor has traversed the entire orchestral output with the thoroughness that Martinon has. Boulez is probably the closest available. I think very highly of the Boulez recordings, especially the newer ones for DG. But the interpretations lack the unity and consistency that Martinon maintains throughout the cycle.

There is more competition with the Ravel, though. When issued, the cycle was met equally by an excellent set from the Minnesota Orchestra under Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, which came in a box at a lower price. Again, Martinon won my heart for his consistency. The Skrowaczewski was better executed by the Minnesota Orchestra than Martinon's Orchetre De Paris. The EMI sound was better, but back then the quality of the Angel LPs was terrible, so the Skrowaczewski go tthe nod for technical superiority unless you were fortunate enough to get your hands on more expensive import copies of the Martinon. There was a cycle from Ozawa on DG also, but artistically it could not match up with the other two. When CDs were introduced, along came Charles Dutoit and the Montreal SO on London/Decca. And they came with a huge splash and acclaim. I puked! and I have always puked when I hear Dutoit conduct anything, with maybe one or two exceptions. Dutoit makes Ravel sound too smooth and glossy. I do give the Decca engineers great credit for the sound (though the Daphnis gets my vote as the worst CD ever produced, being that it was 55 minutes long with no tracks or indexes!).

Now that EMI have so excellently remastered the Martinon recordings though,the choice for a complete set of the orchestral works is very clear. The experience of Martinon's unified consistent interpretations is not quite the same with Ravel as it is with Debussy, partly owing to a less well formed vision from that composer than Debussy. Debussy was more rigid in his world view and musical thought throughout his life, whereas Ravel wavered in many different directions.

When you consider the price, there no reason to think twice about this set. The accompanying booklet is not extremely comprehensive, but adequate enough.

In Debussy Martinon is unbeatble!.......2004-07-31

Jean Martinon is the last director really inmersed in the impresionist mood . His performances are deeply inspired and above all idiomatic . Marie Claire Jamet in the Sacred Dances is absolutely comitted with the elusive forms and pagan enchantment.
Martinon belonged to that hard to find status conductor who really know to engage with the composer mood . So when he played his music the results were overwhelming . He had a enormous gift to suggest . I still remind The Prokoviev seventh symphony with the Chicago Symphony and I can not get another first movement so well performed , for instance .
Back to Debussy he combines the charm and nuance with that incorporean and elusive approach that Debussy and Ravel demands . I state a parallel (if I may) between Martinon - Debussy and Beecham - Delius in what idiomatism concerns .
When Martinon performs Debussy the paintings of Matisse , Monet and Manet seem to awake and come to our mind .
The prientemps and the children 's corner are absolutely of first rate . The clarinet rhapsody is the best in the market .
In the images I prefer the Ansermet version , but the whole set is fundamental if you enjoy the orchestral music of Debussy.
Notice I have not mentioned Ravel works . I have another name in Ravel : Andre Cluytens . But this is out of context.

Average customer rating:

Chill with Debussy

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Quartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B0002JEG5E
Release Date: 2004-09-21

Tracks:

Clair De Lune - Francois-Joel Thiollier
Arabesque No. 1 - Francois-Joel Thiollier
Serenade For The Doll - Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra
The Snow Is Dancing - Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra
The Little Shepard - Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra
Andantino Doucement Expressif - Kodaly Quartet
Danse Profane - Vertavo String Quartet
La Plus Que Lente - Ellen Sejersted Bodtker
Des Pas Sur La Neige - Francois-Joel Thiollier
La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin - Francois-Joel Thiollier
Sarabande - Francois-Joel Thiollier
Poissons D' Or - Francois-Joel Thiollier
Pagodes - Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra
Clair De Lune - Rheinland-Pfalz State Philharmonic Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Better in the less-familiar works

Debussy: Complete Works for Orchestra

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Complete Orchestral Works
Debussy: Complete Chamber Music
Elgar: The 2 Symphonies; Enigma Variations; Overtures; Serenade; Violin Concerto; Cello Concerto
Sibelius: The Complete Symphonies & Tone Poems
Debussy: The Complete Works For Piano

ASIN: B0000VM3YA
Release Date: 2004-01-20

Tracks:

I. De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer Tres Lent - Modere, Sans Lenteur (Dans Un Rythme Tres Souple
II. Jeux De Vagues - Allegro (Dans Un Rythme Tres Souple)
III. Dialoque Du Vent Et De La Mer - Anime Et Tumultueux
1. Nuages - The Renaissance Singers
2. Fetes - The Renaissance Singers
3. Sirenes - The Renaissance Singers
I. Tres Modere
II. Modere
Prelude A L'apres-midi D'un Faune - Colin Fleming

Tracks:

Images: 1 Gigues - Rachel Ingleton
I. Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins
II. Les Parfums De La Nuit
III. Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete
Images: 3. Rondes De Printemps
Poeme Danse
Legende Dansee

Tracks:

Prelude - Tres Modere
Modere (D'abord Hesitant, Puis En Animant Beaucoup)
Moderement Anime
Tres Modere
Meme Mouvement
Epilogue - Christopher Blake
I. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum. Moderement Anime
II. Jimbo's Lullaby. Assez Modere
III. Serenade For The Doll. Allegretto Ma Non Troppo
IV. The Snow Is Dancing. Moderement Anime
V. The Little Shepherd. Tres Modere
VI. Golliwog's Cake-Walk. Allegro Giusto
I. En Bateau. Andantino
II. Cortege. Moderato
III. Menuet. Moderato
IV. Ballet. Allegro Giusto
Allegretto Scherzando
Allegretto

Tracks:

I. Andante Ma Non Troppo - Allegro Giusto - Anne Queffelec
II. Lento E Molto Espressivo - Anne Queffelec
Allegro Molto - Anne Queffelec
Reveusement Lent - Christopher King
Danse Sacree. Tres Modere - Rachel Masters
Danse Profane. Modere - Rachel Masters
Tres Modere - Gerard McChrystal
Avec Une Elegance Grave Et Lente
Quasi Una Cadenza - Tempo: Modere Et Tres Souple
Lent - Derek Bell
Andante, Tres Expressif

Customer Reviews:

Better in the less-familiar works.......2007-04-22

Yan-Pascal Tortelier produces a surprisingly French timbre from the Ulster Orchestra (in contrast to the women's chorus in "Sirenes," which wafts to the ear as endearingly and beguilingly--if incongruously--Irish), and this conductor clearly knows his Debussy. Yet like another Frenchman who recorded a comprehensive survey of Debussy's orchestral music, Jean Martinon, Tortelier makes a stronger impression with the lesser-known works, many of them orchestrated by hands other than the composer's. As fluent as the music-making is, all too often there's something tossed-off and careless about it. This manifests in overly-smooth phrasing and inconsistent orchestral balances--sometimes tellingly transparent, sometimes skewed to over-emphasize a particular strand at the expense of coherence. For this reason, Tortelier's "La Mer" and "Nocturnes," unfortunately, cause me to think of other, more successful performances I'd rather be hearing, and likewise "Jeux," although "Images" is a winner. Throughout the cycle, I'm not too crazy about Chandos' very resonant and distant sound, which gives the music an opulence that is foreign to its character--and creates its own intereference with details registering properly. Moreover, "La Mer" has been recorded with an exaggeratedly wide dynamic range, so that the opening bars are nearly inaudible. Still, there isn't too much competition for Debussy sets that offer this much music at a bargain price.

George Copeland: The Victor Solo Recordings

Average customer rating:

George Copeland: The Victor Solo Recordings

Manufacturer: Pearl
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Cantatas | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000000WYQ
Release Date: 1998-01-20

Tracks:

Prelude a L'apres d'un Faune
Suite Bergamasque: Menuet
Suite Bergamasque: Clair de lune
Pour le piano: Sarabande
Estampes: Soiree dans Grenade
Preludes, Book 1: Voiles
Preludes, Book 1: Le Cathedrale engloutie
Preludes, Book 2: La Puerta del Vino
Preludes, Book 2: Bruyeres
Preludes, Book 2: Generla Lavine-Eccentric
Preludes, Book 2: La Terrasse des audiences du clair de lune
Preludes, Book 2: Ondine
Preludes, Book 2: Canope
Gnossienne No.1
L'automne: Adieu
Danse sacree
La boite a joujoux: Ronde

Tracks:

Cancion y Danza No. 4
Tango in D, Op. 165 No. 2
Tango in A Minor, Op. 124
Malaguena, Op. 71, No. 6
Canto Flamenco
Serenata (from Cadena de Valses)
Fandango (from Bailete, Op. 79)
Sacro-Monte (from Danzas Gitanas, Op. 55)
El Puerto
Igualada
Aragon
Playera (Spanish Dance No. 5)
Escena y Cancion del Fuego Fatuo
Romanza de Solita
Saudades das Selvas Brasileiras
Malaguena
English Suite No. 5 - Sarabande; Passepieds
English Suite No. 5 - Sarabande; Passepieds
Jesus Christus, Gottes Sohn (from Cantata No. 4)
16th Century Suite
Cordoba, Op. 232, No. 4
Danza de la Hoguera

Average customer rating:

exquisite
An extremely important release

Alain: Organ Works, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Naxos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000014EK
Release Date: 1997-06-10

Tracks:

Litanies
Petite Piece
Le Jardin Suspendu
Deuxieme Fant
Vars Sur Un Theme De Clement Janequin
Deux Danses A Agni Yavishta: 1ere Danse
Deux Danses A Agni Yavishta: 2eme Danse
Premier Prld Profane
Deuxieme Prld Profane
Chor Cistercien
Climat
Monodie
Ballade En Mode Phrygien
Chor Phrygien
Ste: Intro Et Vars
Ste: Scherzo
Ste: Chor

Customer Reviews:

exquisite.......2001-04-22

The death of Jehan-Ariste Alain, like all of the deaths caused by WWII, was a tragic, senseless one. A mere 29 years of age, Alain was quickly becoming a prominant composer of amazing versitility and life. One can only speculate what wonders he would have composed had be survived the dreaded war, but the output that we do have proves that he had extraordinary talent.

One of 2 volumes of his work released by the Naxos label, Vol. 1 showcases Alain's powerfully distinctive voice in a number of distinct formats, ranging from the one minute "le Jardin Suspendu," complete with an exotic atmosphere akin to contemporary Olivier Messiaen, the wonderfully precocious "Petite Piece," and his best known piece, "Litanies."

To me, it is is the fantastic organ playing of Eric Lebrun that brings Alain's already amazing pieces to greater life. His choice of the Cavaille-Coll organ of the Church of St-Antoine des Quinze-Vingts in Paris was the ideal one for these pieces. Alain meant for his pieces to be played on just such an organ, so one can hear the majesty of Alain and the organ mingling beautifully, with the highly competent Lebrun in command. There is no doubt that Lebrun is attuned to what Alain meant for the pieces to sound like. Listen to his rendition of the Gregorian-esque "Ballade en Mode Phrygien" and feel the shivers go down your spine.

The 2 cd set is a masterful look at one of the greatest 20th century composers that should have been, and with it being a Naxos release, the price is never a factor. Invest the few dollars and hear one of the great lps of organ music you will likely ever hear. It is well worth it.

An extremely important release.......2001-01-24

Paul Dukas, of "The Sorceror's Apprentice" fame, was one of the finest composition tutors of the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries. Amongst his pupils were three significant organists: Messiaen - who is now seen as one of the most influential figures of the entire twentieth century; Langlais - who has become somewhat less prominent than Messiaen but was certainly no less important as a composer; and Alain - equally promising as a composer, but killed during military service in 1940 by a Nazi bomb blast. He was just 29 years of age.

It could be said of that tragedy that it robbed us of a great twentieth century composer. However, Alain lived and worked long enough to produce a large corpus of organ music, remarkably mature in style and full of contrasts, and as this two-disc series shows, though his life was cut so brutally short, it was by no means a waste of life.

That Alain shared a class with Messiaen and Langlais seems clear to me on listening to some of the music in this volume. The special harmonic techniques and exotic interests of Messiaen might perhaps be detected in "Le Jardin suspendu" or "Deux Danses a Agni Yavishta" (the first of which is barely a minute long); "Litanies" (one of his better known legacies) and "Variations sur un theme de Clement Janequin" bear testimony to an interest in ancient French musical ideas and traditions, shared by Langlais. Like both, Alain seems to have inherited a strong gift for melody and how best to accompany it; witness the simply delicious "Petite Piece" (track 2), the more extended "Deuxieme Fantasie" or the chorales "Cistercian" and "Phrygien," exquisitely crafted miniatures that harbour some truly innovate musical thinking behind their seemingly pedestrian titles. Alain was obviously a man of clear religious conviction, yet in writing for organ he also catered for the more secular side of performing, as can be seen in the "Deux Preludes Profanes," "Ballade en mode Phrygien" which is derived, Langlais-esque, from Gregorian chant and is thus on the cusp between liturgical and non-liturgical music, or the three-movement "Suite" that closes this programme.

This is music of great quality: well formed, interesting and deserving of a wide audience. Here, it is beautifully performed by Eric Lebrun, himself a pupil of the composer's organ-playing relative, Marie-Claire Alain. Seated at a genuine French Cavaille-Coll organ - the type of instrument for which the music for written - he delivers a beautiful performance: sensitive, brilliantly accurate and wholly communicative. With the Naxos budget price, this disc is certainly hard to resist, particularly for organists like myself!

Tracks:

Ste: Intro & Var(s)
Ste: Scherzo-
Ste: Chor
Climat
Prld & Fugue
Choral Dorien
Choral Phrygien
Aria
Vars Sur Lucis Creator
Berceuse Sur Deux Notes Qui Cornent
1er Prld Profane
2e Prld Profane
Monodie
Ballade En Mode Phrygien
Chor Cistercien Pour Une Elevation
Vars Sur Un Theme De Clement Jannequin
Le Jardin Suspendu
Litanies

Tracks:

Fantasmagorie
Trois Danses: Joies
Trois Danses: Deuils
Trois Danses: Luttes
Grave
Petite Piece
Intermezzo
Lamento
1er Fant
2e Fant
Deux Danses A Agni Yavishta
Complainte A La Mode Ancienne
Fugue En Mode De Fa
Verset-Choral
Berceuse
De Jules Lemaitre
Chant Donne
Andante
Postlude Pour l'Office De Complies
Page 21 De 8er Cahier De Notes De Jehan Alain

Customer Reviews:

Experience the music of a 20th century original.......2001-01-26

Jehan Alain was a French organist and composer who was tragically killed while fighting the Germans near Saumur in 1940. At the time of his death, he was only 29 years old. Despite his youth, he left behind a significant body of organ music that could be mistaken for no other composer. This two CD set, running almost two and a half hours, includes all his published works, including some that have only recently come to light. Unlike many French composers who wrote for the organ on the vastest of canvases, many of Alain's works run five minutes or less.

One thing is for certain: Kevin Bowyer has technique to burn. He also gets wonderful sounds from the Marcussen organ at Tonbridge School. In fact, the recorded sound is excellent and atmospheric throughout. With one caveat, this is a wonderful introduction to the music of Alain. There is much here that is readily accessible to lovers of organ music including, but certainly not limited to, the two Chorals, Dorien and Phrygien; the two sets of variations, on Lucis Creator and on a theme by Clement Jannequin (although that attribution is in doubt); and the mystical pieces, Le Jardin Suspendu and the Postlude pour l'Office de Complies. There are also works that do not make their wonders readily apparent, but are well worth coming to know. Then, of course, there is Alain's most famous work, Litanies.

And it is Bowyer's performance of that piece about which I have reservations. He plays it breathtakingly fast--again, no question about technique--but the tempo is so rapid in places that, to me at least, the music sounds hectic. Repeated notes at the beginnings of phrases blur together, so that unless you knew that the notes were repeated, you'd hardly be able to tell. When he gives the music room to breathe, the performance is fine; if only he had done so throughout the piece! This performance, although perfectly acceptable, does not rise to the same level as the rest of this recording. And if you like your toccatas astonishingly fast, this performance will not disappoint.

Tracks:

La mer - Three Symphony Sketches: I De l'aube a midi sur la mer - Tres lent - Modere, sans lenteur (Dans un rythme tres souple) - Claude Debussy
La mer - Three Symphony Sketches: II Jeux de vagues - Allegro (Dans un rythme tres souple) - Claude Debussy
La mer - Three Symphony Sketches: III Dialogue du vent et de la mer - Anime et tumultueux - Claude Debussy
Nocturnes: 1. Nocturnes - Claude Debussy
Nocturnes: 2. Fetes - Claude Debussy
Nocturnes: 3. Sirenes - Claude Debussy
Printemps: Symphonic Suite: I Tres modere - Claude Debussy
Printemps: Symphonic Suite: II Modere - Claude Debussy
After - 'Mallarme': Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune - Claude Debussy

Tracks:

Images: 1. Gigues - 2. Iberia - C. Debussy
Images: I Par les rues et par les chemins - C. Debussy
Images: II Les parfums de la nuit - C. Debussy
Images: III Le matin d'un jour de fete - C. Debussy
Images: 3. Rondes de printemps - C. Debussy
Jeux: Poeme danse - C. Debussy
Khamma: Legende dansee - C. Debussy

Tracks:

La boite a joujoux: Prelude - Tres modere - DeBussy
La boite a joujoux: Premier tableau - The Toy Shop: Modere (d'abord hesitant, puis en animant beaucoup) - DeBussy
La boite a joujoux: Deuxime tableau - The Battlefield: Moderement anime - DeBussy
La boite a joujoux: Troisieme tableau - The Sheep-Fold For Sale: Meme mouvement - DeBussy
La boite a joujoux: Quatrieme tableau - Fortune Made: Meme mouvement - DeBussy
La boite a joujoux: Epilogue - DeBussy
Children's Corner: I Doctor Gradus ed Parnassum: Modment anim DeBussy
Children's Corner: II Jimbo's Lullaby: Assez modere - DeBussy
Children's Corner: III Serenade For The Doll: Allegretto ma non troppo - DeBussy
Children's Corner: IV The Snow Is Dancing: Moderement anime - DeBussy
Children's Corner: V The Little Shepherd: Tres modere - DeBussy
Children's Corner: VI Golliwog's Cake-Walk: Allegro giusto - DeBussy
Petite Suite: I En bateau: Andantino - DeBussy
Petite Suite: II Cortege: Moderato - DeBussy
Petite Suite: III Menuet: Moderato - DeBussy
Petite Suite: IV Ballet: Allegro giusto - DeBussy
Marche ecossaise sur un theme populaire: Allegretto scherzando - DeBussy
Danse: Allegretto - DeBussy

Tracks:

Fantaisie: Andante ma non troppo - Allegro giusto - C. Debussy
Fantaisie: Lento e molto espressivo - C. Debussy
Fantaisie: Allegro molto - C. Debussy
Premiere rapsodie: pour orchestre avec clarinette principale: Reveusement lent - C. Debussy
Danses: pour harpe et orchestre a cordes: Danse sacree: Tres modere - C. Debussy
Danses: pour harpe et orchestre a cordes: Danse profane: Modere - C. Debussy
Rapsodie For Alto Saxophone And Orchestra: Tres modere - C. Debussy
Sarabande: Avec une elegance grave et lente - C. Debussy
L'ISLE JOYEUSE: Quasi una cadenza - Tempo: modere et tres souple - C. Debussy
La plus que lente: Lent - C. Debussy
Clair de Lune: Andante, tres expressif - C. Debussy

Customer Reviews:

An Excellent Collection of Debussy Orchestral Music.......2002-04-24

I received this CD set as a gift, and it's magnificent. I've listened to a dozen Debussy orchestral CDs in as many years, including the Dutoit / Montreal recordings, which are indeed very good. But this set surpasses the current range of Debussy recordings as I know them. I base this on a number of things, not the least of which is my interpretation of the composer. One of the greatest things Claude Debussy did was take two hundred years of otherwise entrenched classical music, extract it from tradition, and give it back to us, in some of the most beautiful, unique, and utterly transcendent musical compositions ever written. Having said this, I think that this particular collection of recorded music serves as a truly wonderful expression of Debussy's intent. To accomplish this, a great orchestra was required, and with that, great orchestration on behalf of Yan Pascal Tortelier. Clearly Tortelier understands Debussy. If you've had the misfortune of listening to Karajan's rendition of Afternoon of a Faune, then you know firsthand how bad of an intrusion a conductor can make on a composer's work. I doubt Karajan had the slightest idea what Debussy was about, whereas Tortelier orchestrates magically, beautifully, in a way that provides us with nothing but access. Adding to this is something I normally don't talk about, because I'm not a serious audiophile. I have some good gear and can certainly hear the difference, but I'm not very interested in the technical aspects of recording as long as the basics are there - I'm interested in the music. I'm glad to listen to a scratchy jazz recording from the 50's. Nonetheless, the recording quality here is as good as it gets and it's only fair to say that it is part of the reason I think so highly of this set. It's tough to record an orchestra, but the engineers succeeded in every way. Example: Listen to the first track of Disk three - The Toy Box - from 1:00 to 1:20. I have never experienced an orchestral recording with such a clear, emergent stereo image, it's stunning. This set is sold under the CHANDOS label, and I've found many of their recordings to be of high quality.

Music Review:

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