Prelude A L'Apres

On this CD:

1. Jeux, ballet, L. 126
Composed by Claude Debussy

Conducted by Serge Baudo

2. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 De l'aube à midi sur la mer
Composed by Claude Debussy

Conducted by Serge Baudo

3. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 Jeux de vagues
Composed by Claude Debussy

Conducted by Serge Baudo

4. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 Dialobue du vent et de la mer
Composed by Claude Debussy

Conducted by Serge Baudo

Tracks:

La Mer: I. De l'aube a midi sur la mer
La Mer: II. Jeux de vagues
La Mer: III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer
Jeux
Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien I (Fragments symphoniques): La Cour des lys
Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien I (Fragments symphoniques): Danse extatique et Final du Premier Acte
Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien I (Fragments symphoniques): La Passion
Le Martyre de Saint Sebastien I (Fragments symphoniques): Le Bon Pasteur
Prelude 'aprmidi d'un faune

Tracks:

Images pour orchestre: Gigues
Images pour orchestre: Iberia: I. Par les rues et par les chemins
Images pour orchestre: Iberia: II. Les Parfums de la nuit
Images pour orchestre: Iberia: III. Le Matin d'un jour de f
Images pour orchestre: Rondes de printemps
Trois Noctures: Nuages
Trois Noctures: Fs
Trois Noctures: Sirs
Printemps: Trmod
Printemps: Mod

Customer Reviews:

La Mer is one of my all-time favorites.......2006-01-11

There is nothing quite like Dutoit's handling of some of Debussy's timeless masterpieces. All have enormous strength and have clear sound quality. The piece that gives me the shivers the most is La Mer. It has the perfect oceanic feeling that some other conductors forget about. I can just imagine the stormy sea letting out its dangerous but majestic fury when listening to the third movement. Images for Orchestra and Printemps are also fabulous. Highly recommended for those who are interested in impressionistic music.

Wonderful.......2004-03-30

Charles Dutoit does so pretty wonderful things with this Debussy set and his orchestra is in top-notch form. Dutoit handles these works well, bringing delicacy of phrasing, sweeping crescendos, and awesome sonics. Rarely does can an orchestra sound calm, quiet, even serene AND loud, dramatic, and forceful. La Mer is particularly striking in Dutoit's hands. Decca's crystal clear sound makes this set even more attractive. Highly recommended.

Great interpretations, but the recorded sound is ok.......2002-08-30

Charles Dutoit does so pretty wonderful things with this Debussy set and his orchestra is in top notch form. However, the reason I gave this CD set only 4 starts is because the recorded sound less much to be desired. The cd sound is very "echo"y, it sounds like the orchestra is playing in a cave, not a concert hall. If that doesn't bother you then go for this set. As for me, I want Debussy with a little clearer of a sound.

Ravishing Debussy from a master of French music.......1999-12-11

Most of Dutoit's Debussy recordings were released at the beginning of the 1990s and are of the same very high standard of his Ravel and Poulenc recordings, and it is good to have the best-known of them reissued on a well-documented 2-CD bargain set. The sound quality is fantastic. This set comes into competition with Haitink's excellent Philips Duo set, and choice between the two sets will probably be determined by the minor works included. The Haitink set has long been the first recommendation in this repertoire, and the analogue sound is excellent, if not as spectacular as that of the Dutoit set. It should be noted, however, that those who buy the Dutoit set along with Martinon's "Orchestral Works II" set on EMI's Double Forte label will have obtained virtually all of Debussy's orchestral compositions and transcriptions all for not too many dead presidents.

Average customer rating:

Fantastic set
great collection
Beautiful music
Great
Comfy Debussy, for when you don't want to be seduced

Debussy: Orchestral Music

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000417P
Release Date: 1994-02-15

Tracks:

Berceuse heroique
Images: Gigues
Images: Iberia: Par les rues et par les chemins
Images: Iberia: Les perfums de la nuit
Images: Iberia: Le matin d'un jour fe fete
Images: Rondes de printemps
Jeux: Poeme Danse
Marche ecossaise

Tracks:

Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune
Nocturnes: Nuages
Nocturnes: Fetes
Nocturnes: Sirenes
La Mer: De l'aube a midi sur la mer
La Mer: Jeux de vagues
La Mer: Dialogue du vent et de la mer
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
Dances For Harp And Strings: Danse sacree
Dances For Harp And Strings: Danse profane

Amazon.com

Bernard Haitink's recordings of the Nocturnes and Jeux were hailed as among the finest available when initially issued. That LP provided rather short measure. Now you can get all of Debussy's most important orchestral music on two CDs for the price of one, and if the remaining performances don't quite reach the exalted level of the Nocturnes and Jeux, they come so close as to make no difference. Haitink was not a very assertive conductor (and he's gotten less so with age), but he was fortunate to have one of the world's best orchestras at the tip of his baton, and their recordings were a true collaborative effort. Their approach works particularly well for Debussy. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Fantastic set.......2007-05-02

This set is wonderful for anyone who is looking to get acquainted with Debussy, as well as anyone looking for new interpretations of his famous orchestral work. This 2 disk contains my favorite rendering of the majestic "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun", as well as my favorite recording of the three Nocturnes and "Images". These three pieces are improved by the warm and luminous, yet vague ("impressionistic") sound of this recording.

The harp dances sound wonderful. So does the clarinet rhapsodie. The soloist has wonderful tone.

Elsewhere, the audio quality is my only complaint about this set - "La Mer", being as it is a highly dense, orchestrated piece of work, would benefit from added clarity and higher audio fidelity, but the version here is still very good. The other piece that suffers from the overly reverberant, slightly muddy sound is "Berceuse Heroique", an amazing and powerful shorter piece, summarizing whole years of life in a blur of 5 minutes... here, unfortunately, the louder moments turn into incoherent chaos.

All of the playing is fantastic, the intonation is great... I've never heard this music so expressive.

Highly recommended for definitive versions of "Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun", "Nocturnes" and "Images". Everything else is good as well. 4.5 stars.

great collection.......2007-03-13

The first concert I ever saw in the Kimmel Center was Valery Gergiev conducting the Philadelphia Orchestra playing La mer, Prelude de l'apres-midi d'un faune, and a Schubert symphony. The orchestra was under-rehearsed, but I remember being transfixed during both Debussy pieces (and I think Gergiev received quite a standing ovation). There is something special about Debussy's orchestral music that few other composers (Ravel, perhaps) can match.

The individual performances in this collection are not mindblowingly brilliant, but as a whole, this collection is quite satisfying. The Concertgebouw Orchestra plays well, as usual, and it's helped by great recording quality (voted Gramophone Magazine's best engineered recording in 1980). If you want more unique performances of individual pieces, look at Munch (for example), but if you want a well-played, comprehensive collection, get this CD. It's one of my favorites.

Beautiful music.......2006-10-23

I can't get enough of these discs; the sound is superb! A fabulous journey into the "impressionist" art of Debussy.

Great.......2006-05-27

True, Haitink is not a "ZIP! ZING! POW! conductor" like David A. FLetcher mentioned in his review (I thought it was funny put, so I wanted to quote it), but he sure knows how to let the music do the speaking.

These are not "impressionistic" readings and I'm glad they're not, although the orchestra sounds warm and round, a little "cosy" if you like, but that's fine, I love the sound.
The playing is accurate and flexible and I think Haitink's "Images" is one of the best recordings I heard of this work, next with Boulez' excellent recording on DG.

The "Prelude a l'apres midi.." is a bit on the slow side and some nice details you'll hear in Boulez' recordings (Sony and DG) are somewhat underplayed...or not very good recorded?, but the mood and sound are great.

I think the sound of the RCO and Philips analogue recording are superb and do great justice to Debussy's musical universe.
Boulez might be more idiomatic, his recordings are the standard for me, but the warmer sound of the RCO with Haitink on Philips is something special indeed.

Excellent disc.

Comfy Debussy, for when you don't want to be seduced.......2005-11-04

I am a little miffed for believing the reviewers here about this Philips two-fer. I would have assumed that Haitink, the maestro of middle-of-the-road, would give us comfortable, well-balanced, plain-faced Debussy, not sparkling, enchanting Debussy. As it turns out, that assumption was right. These Seventies recordings, some in excellent sound (Jeux and Trois Noctournes in particular), are lusciously played. But attentive as Haitink is, there is no seductiveness to the music.

I'm not being all that critical: in the wrong hands Debussy's gossamer textures and irregular rhythms get sea-sick and swoony. Haitink is sober all the way, his La Mer too much so, and also his Prelude to the Afternoon of a Fuan. The two most famous readings in this set, Jeux and the Nocturns, benefit from Haitink's modesty. By keeping the rhythm steady and being scrupulous about orchestral blend, both works sound beautiful without becoming luxuriant or slippery.

Nothing in Haitink's hands sounds like Ravel, and that's a high compliment. For that reason, I will keep this set. I don't need to be enchanted every day.

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:

Debussy: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Decca
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

Lullabies & Berceuse | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Average customer rating:

Better in the less-familiar works

Debussy: Complete Works for Orchestra

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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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.

Debussy: La Mer/Jeux/La Martyre de saint Sebastian/Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune

Average customer rating:

Debussy: La Mer/Jeux/La Martyre de saint Sebastian/Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune

Manufacturer: Polygram Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Anton Bruckner: Symphony No.8 - Wiener Philharmoniker / Herbert von Karajan

ASIN: B0000041XH
Release Date: 1990-11-10

Tracks:

La Mer: I. De l'aube a midi sur la mer
La Mer: II. Jeux de vagues
La Mer: III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer
Jeux
Le Martyre de saint Sebastien (Fragment sym): La Cour des Iys
Le Martyre de saint Sebastien (Fragment sym): Danse extatique et Final du Premier Acte
Le Martyre de saint Sebastien (Fragment sym): La Passion
Le Martyre de saint Sebastien (Fragment sym): Le Bon Pasteur
Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune - Timothy Hutchins

Amazon.com

Charles Dutoit hasn't always been at his best in French music, despite his much-vaunted reputation and his authentic French credentials. Of course, it's not entirely his fault that he has done what his record company has told him to do, but Debussy is one composer to whom, thankfully, he really responds. Not only are the performances on this disc fully competitive with the best available, the couplings are unique, revealing Debussy's full range as a composer over the entire length of his career. And one thing about Dutoit's achievement has never been in dispute: he has built the Montreal Symphony into a world-class ensemble, and they play this music as well as he conducts it. -- David Hurwitz

Amazon.com

Several years after their landmark recordings of Ravel's orchestral music, Charles Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony got around to Debussy, with results that were certainly worth waiting for. The Nocturnes are impeccably rendered: there is extreme refinement in "Nuages," color and energy aplenty in "Fêtes," languor and mystery in "Sirènes." More of an outdoorsman than a hedonist when it comes to La Mer, Dutoit emphasizes body and voluptuousness of sound over atmosphere and strives for an effect of photographic realism rather than impressionism. But what a glorious noise he makes! Here and in every other piece on these discs, the playing of the Montreal Symphony Orchestra exhibits a virtuosity that is all the more remarkable for sounding unspectacular. These are perhaps the best recorded performances of Debussy's music in the catalog, close-miked but with ample space, vivid, and well balanced. --Ted Libbey

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Debussy: Piano Works, Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

Prelude
Sarabande
Toccata
Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum
Jimbo's Lullaby
Serenade For The Doll
The Snow Is Dancing
The Little Shepherd
Golliwogg's Cake-walk
Pagodes
La Soiree Dans Grenade
Jardins Sous La Pluie
La Plus Que Lente, Valse
I Andantino Con Moto
II Allegretto Scherzando
Piece Pour Le Vetement Du Blesse (Page D'album)
L'Isle Joyeuse

Tracks:

I Danseueses De Delphes
II Voiles
III Le Vent Dans La Plaine
IV Les Sons Et Les Parfums Tournent Dans L'air Du Soir
V Les Collines D'Anacapri
VI Des Pas Sur La Neige
VII Ce Qu'a Vu Le Vent D'Ouest
VIII La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
IX La Serenade Interrompue
La Cathedrale Engloutie
XI La Danse De Puck
XII Minstrels
I Reflets Dans L'eau
II Hommage A Rameau
III Mouvement

Tracks:

I De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
II Jeux De Vagues - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
III Dialgue Du Vent Et De La Mer - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
I Gigues / II Iberia - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
A. Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
B. Les Parfums De La Nuit - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
C. le Matin D'un Jour De Fete - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
III Rondes De Printemps - Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra

Tracks:

Prelude A L'apres-midi D'un Faune - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Prelude - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Premiere Danse (Grave Et Lent) - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Deuxieme Danse (Leger Et Craintif) - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Troisieme Danse (Tres Lent) - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
I Tres Modere - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
II Modere - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Jeux, Pome Danse - Finnish Radio Symphony Orchestra

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the Maxfield Parrish of classical music!
enchanting, surreal

Debussy: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Haydn: The Last 3 String Quartets
Debussy: Images / Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune / Printemps - The Cleveland Orchestra / Pierre Boulez
Varese: Arcana; Ameriques; Ionization; Offrandes; Density 21.5; Octandre; Integrales
Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35, 40, 41

ASIN: B000002C00
Release Date: 1995-12-05

Tracks:

La Mer: I. De l'aube a midi sur la mer - Pierre Boulez
La Mer: II. Jeux de vagues - Pierre Boulez
La Mer: III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer - Pierre Boulez
Nocturnes: I. Nuages - Pierre Boulez
Nocturnes: II. Fetes - Pierre Boulez
Nocturnes: III. Sirenes - Pierre Boulez
Printemps: I. Tres modere - Pierre Boulez
Printemps: II. Modere - Pierre Boulez
Rhapsody No. 1 For Clarinet And Orchestra - Pierre Boulez

Tracks:

Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune - Claude Debussy
Jeux - Claude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: I. Gigues - Claude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: II. Iberia. Par les rues et par les chemin - Claude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: Les Parfums de la Nuit - - Claude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: Le Matin d'un jour de fete - Claude Debussy
Images pour orchestre: III. Rondes de printemps - Claude Debussy
Danses: I. Danse sacree - Claude Debussy
Danses: II. Danse profane - Claude Debussy

Customer Reviews:

the Maxfield Parrish of classical music!.......2001-08-12

Claude Debussy did not approve of his reputation as the impressionist of music. I'm sure he would approve even less, then, of being associated with the popular illustrator Maxfield Parrish, but the third movement of "Nocturnes," called "Sirenes," with wordless female vocals, puts me in a sun-dappled Parrish print with nymphs, framed by Greek pillars!

This is a great bargain -- ALL of Debussy's major orchestral works at mid-price. Boulez is fantastic, with the New Philharmonia Orchestra in 1966 and 1968, and the Cleveland Orchestra in 1967. The first disc opens with the majestic "La Mer." Paul Griffiths, author of the outstanding MODERN MUSIC AND AFTER (see my review) has referred to the "anger, yearning, and sense of threat" conveyed by this performance. The second disc opens with Debussy's best known work, "Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune," another entry into a world of fantastic, soothing images. And the "Danses" with Alice Chalifoux on harp, which close the set, are ethereal and marvelous.

This is a great introduction to Debussy. Boulez recently recorded most (not all) of these works again for DG. Griffiths says of the more recent "La Mer" that it is "better played, and much better recorded, but without the zing." Some prefer Dutoit with Montreal, and some like Bernstein. But if you're looking for one disc with superb recordings of Debussy's major works for orchestra, look no further.

enchanting, surreal.......2000-06-26

I'm a rock and roll fan and never cared much for classical stuff. I happened upon this on public broadcasting radio and was hooked. Great music!

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For Book Lovers Only

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Release Date: 2003-10-14

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