Debussy, Roussel & Milhaud: Orchestral Works

On this CD:

1. Symphony No. 4 in A major, Op. 53
Composed by Albert Roussel
Performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

2. Suite provençale, for orchestra, Op. 152a
Composed by Darius Milhaud
Performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

3. Sinfonietta for strings, Op. 52
Composed by Albert Roussel
Performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

4. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Neeme Jarvi

Tracks:

IV. Bourrees 1 & 2 - Elaine Schaffer
V. Polonaise & Double - Elaine Schaffer
VI. Menuet - Elaine Schaffer
VII. Badinerie - Elaine Schaffer
II. Siciliano - Michel Debost
Ouverture - David Munrow
Les Plaisirs - David Munrow
Sonate Pour 2 Flutes En Sol Majeur, Op.2 No.1: II. Andante - Allegro - James Galway
I. Largo - Bruno Cavallo
II. 'Fantasmi' Presto - Bruno Cavallo
III. Largo - Bruno Cavallo
IV. Presto - Bruno Cavallo
V. Largo 'II Sonno' - Bruno Cavallo
VI. Allegro - Bruno Cavallo
I. Allegro - Michel Sanvoisin
Concerto Pour Flute, Harpe & Orchestra En Ut Majeur, K.299: II. Andantino - James Galway
Romance Pour Flute & Piano En La Majeur, Op.94 No.1 - Jean-Pierre Rampal
L'Arlesienne: Menuet - Michel Debost
Carmen: Entracte (Acte III) - Michel Debost
L'Oiseau Des Bois, Idylle Pour Flute & 4 Cors, Op.21 - John Solum
Casse-Noisette: Danse Des Mirlitons - Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Adagio - London Symphony Orchestra
L'Oiseau Bleu Et La Princess Florine - London Symphony Orchestra
Le Carnaval Des Animaux: Voliere - Francois Laurent
Pelleas Et Melisande: Sicilienne - Patricia Nagle
Daphnis Et Chloe: Pantomime - Michel Debost

Tracks:

Syrinx Pour Flute Seule - Michel Debost
Danse De La Chevre Pour Flute Seule - Jonathan Snowden
Entr'acte - Roger Bourdin
I. Allegro Malinconico - Eric Le Sage
II. Cantilene - Eric Le Sage
III. Presto Giocoso - Eric Le Sage
Density 21/5 Pour Flute Seule - Michel Debost
I. Pan - Raymund Havenith
Ballade Pour Flute, Orchestre A Cordes & Piano - Aurele Nicolet
Le Merle Noir - Karlheinz Zoller
Vermont Counterpoint - Ransom Wilson
I. Allegretto - Kathleen Chastain
II. Andante - Kathleen Chastain
III. Anime - Kathleen Chastain
Sequenza Pour Flute Seule - Karlheinz Zoller
Chant De Linos, Pour Flute & Piano - Eric Le Sage

Customer Reviews:

Review of Flute Passion CD.......2004-08-08

I came across this CD while looking for recordings of music that I could play to Flute Students. This CD is a winner, as it contains music at the Grade -7 level (Australia) and makes a wonderful purchase for both teachers and students. The various artists represented on the CD's are amongst the best flautists in the world. An excellent choice for anyone passionate about the flute.

Rhapsodie: French Music for Clarinet & Piano

Average customer rating:

Rhapsodie: French Music for Clarinet & Piano

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

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

4-for-3 Classical | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 All Music | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music

4-for-3 Opera & Vocal | 4-for-3 Music | Stores | Music
Similar Items:

French Clarinet Art

ASIN: B000000AA1
Release Date: 1994-07-26

Tracks:

Sonata For Clarinet And Piano: I Allegro tristamente
Sonata For Clarinet And Piano: II Romanza
Sonata For Clarinet And Piano: III Allegro con fuoco
Piece en forme d'habanera
Premiere Rhapsodie
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Op. 167: I Allegretto
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Op. 167: II Allegro animato
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Op. 167: III Lento
Sonata for Clarinet and Piano Op. 167: IV Molto allegro
Aria
Duo Concertant Op. 351

Average customer rating:

An instrument with more than thousand years of existence!
Found what I was looking for and more!
Music for Harp

Music for Harp

Manufacturer: Vox (Classical)
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Compilations | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music

Music for Solo Harp

ASIN: B000001K6E
Release Date: 1992-11-04

Tracks:

Concerto In E Minor For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 182: Allegro Moderato
Concerto In E Minor For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 182: Adagio
Concerto In E Minor For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 182: Scherzo, Finale, Allegro vivace
Morceau de Concert for Harp and Orchestra, Op. 154
Fantaisie in A Minor for Solo Harp, Op. 95
Concertante In G Major For Harp, Violin And Orchestra: Allegro
Concertante In G Major For Harp, Violin And Orchestra: Adagio
Concertante In G Major For Harp, Violin And Orchestra: Rondo Allegretto
Introduction And Allegro For Harp, String Quartet, Flute And Clarinet

Tracks:

Concerto in C Major for Harp and Orchestra:: Allegro
Concerto In C Major For Harp And Orchestra: Andante lento
Concerto In C Major For Harp And Orchestra: Rondo; Allegro agitato
Concerto In A Major For Harp And Orchestra: Allegro
Concerto In A Major For Harp And Orchestra: Larghetto
Concerto In A Major For Harp And Orchestra: Rondo; Allegretto; Allegro moderato
Concerto For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 4, No. 6 In B-flat Major: Andante; Allegro
Concerto For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 4, No. 6 In B-flat Major: Larghetto
Concerto For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 4, No. 6 In B-flat Major: Allegro moderato
Suite
Irish Airs: My Thousand Times Beloved
My Lady Greensleeves
Palestinalied; Wie sol ich den gemynen
Trotto
Gymel
Estampie Royale
Danse Royale
Lamento di Tristano - La Rotta
Danceries

Tracks:

Concerto In E-flat Major For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 74: Allegro moderato
Concerto In E-flat Major For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 74: Andante: Theme And Variations
Concerto In E-flat Major For Harp And Orchestra, Op. 74: Allegro giocoso
Concertstr Harp And Orchestra, Op. 39
Impromptu Caprice In A-flat Major For Solo Harp, Op. 9
Sonata For Flute, Viola And Harp: Pastorale
Sonata For Flute, Viola And Harp: Interlude: Tempo di Minuetto
Sonata For Flute, Viola And Harp: Finale: Allegro moderato ma risoluto
Serenade For Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello And Harp, Op.30: Allegro
Serenade For Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello And Harp, Op. 30: Andante
Serenade For Flute, Violin, Viola, Cello And Harp, Op. 30: Presto

Customer Reviews:

An instrument with more than thousand years of existence!.......2006-04-03

In spite of the fact the harp is possibly the oldest musical instrument, its sonorities are unlimited. In the XIX Century, the French and Russian composers took into account it. Curiously, Carl Reineceke showed an unusual interest by it; this historical transition toward the raising Century, where Joaquin Rodrigo a renowned pupil of Paul Dukas, nourished his muse in Los Sones del la Giralda.

But to be honest there has always been a visible contempt about it, and has been relegated as a curtain instrument to remark certain anima states. With the Musical Impressionism many composers seemed to understand the multiple expressive possibilities of the harp, but the effervescence would not last so long.

This is a very selected set that includes some one the most traditional Opus of the harp. Since the lyric and naive Francois Adrian Boldieau ` s concert to the hyper romantic Gliere `s Concerto.

Absolutely recommended for all those who love this instrument. You will additionally find out a very high performance level, along both CD' s.

And considering this bargain price, the temptation is enormous, don' t you?

Found what I was looking for and more!.......2005-09-10

Great CD collection! The volume on the particular track I was looking for was recorded rather low, but otherwise, it is a perfect collection. Some of the other tracks I had not heard and they were magnificent!

Music for Harp.......2000-09-20

Elena Polonska + Harp = Beautiful. When I noted that Elena Polonska performed music from the Middle Ages to the the 20th century on the harp, I knew I had to have this recording. I have heard her play the harp, on other CD's, and listening to her skillful playing is a delight for anyone who enjoys classical music. The other artists were not known to me, so listening to this CD was a chance to become acquainted with some other wonderful harpists, too. I plan to buy this CD for holiday gifts for friends.

Average customer rating:

Debussy: Danses; Harpe Chromatique

Manufacturer: Cypres
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B000026BGX
Release Date: 1998-01-01

Fantasie: French Works for Flute & Piano

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Fantasie: French Works for Flute & Piano

Manufacturer: 4-Tay
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD
ASIN: B000NTHLZU

Product Description

Jolivet: Chant de Linos; Dutilleux: Sonatine; Roussel: Joueurs de Flute op 27; Francaix: Divertimento; Hue: Fantasie; Debussy: Prelude to an Afternoon of a Faun

Hommage à Jane Bathori: The Inspiring Muse

Average customer rating:

The joy of hearing, and listening to, the voice that is Dawn Upshaw.
One of the best live recordings ever
Upshaw shines!

Hommage à Jane Bathori: The Inspiring Muse
Jerome Ducros
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
ASIN: B00002DEIP
Release Date: 2000-02-15

Tracks:

Darius Milhaud- Chant de Nourrice
Albert Roussel- Adieux
Arthur Honegger- Six Poemes d'Alcools d'Apollinaire
Six Poemes d'Alcools d'Apollinaire
Six Poemes d'Alcools d'Apollinaire
Six Poemes d'Alcools d'Apollinaire
Six Poemes d'Alcools d'Apollinaire
Six Poemes d'Alcools d'Apollinaire
Darius Milhaud- L'Abandon
Erik Satie- Trois Melodies de 1916
Trois Melodies de 1916
Trois Melodies de 1916
Charles Koechlin- Amphise et Melitta
Maurice Ravel- Histoires Naturelles
Histoires Naturelles
Histoires Naturelles
Histoires Naturelles
Histoires Naturelles
Claude Debussy- Le Promenoir des Deux Amants
Le Promenoir des Deux Amants
Le Promenoir des Deux Amants
Encore- Spoken introduction by Dawn Upshaw
Henri Dutilleux- San Francisco Night

Amazon.com

Dawn Upshaw's recital of 20th century French songs is a bouquet to their great exponent, and often inspirer, Jane Bathori. Recorded live before an appreciative Paris audience, Upshaw's in fine voice, her lyric soprano caressing each song, leaving no doubt that she loves this repertory. She adopts slow tempos and characterizes broadly, assuming a girlish voice for some songs, a device that some listeners will adore (and others find repellent). The songs themselves are wonders, from favorites like the Ravel and Satie selections to rarely heard gems. The encore is a highlight: Dutilleux's 1993 setting of "San Francisco Night," receiving its premiere recording. Upshaw's legion of fans will need no urging to grab this disc, and it's a good choice for those seeking a representative group of outstanding modern French songs. Devotees of French mélodie, though, will prefer Marston's reissues of idiomatic historic recordings by an older generation of singers, such as Jane Bathori herself and Clare Croiza. --Dan Davis

Customer Reviews:

The joy of hearing, and listening to, the voice that is Dawn Upshaw........2006-10-16

The joy of listening to Dawn Upshaw perform is that in any venue, in recital or stage performance, in any language, one can understand every word of text, and feel every expression. And, in any recording, especially this recording, one can "see" her expression, poise, and performance without having been in the auditorium. From Mozart to Vernon Duke, from Milhaud to Goliov, she exudes the pure joy of singing, with a clarity of tone and text, that communicates to the back row of an auditorium, or through stereo speakers, the jubilance that is Dawn Upshaw.

One of the best live recordings ever.......2001-12-26

I usually don't like live recordings. I don't need the audience to laugh appreciatively or burst into thunderous applause to tell me I should like the piece. But this album is different. It doesn't have that strange distant sense of watching a performance from outside the hall. In fact, just the opposite.
The warmth and character of Upshaw's performances pulls you in to the hall. Her respect for Mme. Jane Bathori makes this a true "hommage." Her French is impeccable, and it is clear she knows of what she sings. The performances of Ravel's "Histoires Naturelles" and Debussy's "Trois Chansons" are excellent, but I have to say her perfomance of Roussel's "Adieux" increased my respect for the composer immeasurably. However, of course Upshaw doesn't do it alone, being accompanied by one of the best piano accompanists I have ever heard. I recommend this album without reservation to any fan of Upshaw or 20th-century French song.

Upshaw shines!.......2001-08-27

This is truly an incredible collection of french chanson and Dawn Upshaw is really in her element here. It's a live recording, but the applause really doesn't interfere with the mood presented. The collection of peices varies by artist, but generally it's a light array of lyrical music. Upshaw's interpretation is fantastic and her pronunciation of the French language itself is incredible, much better than most non-French opera singers I've heard. A wonderful album!

Average customer rating:

Musique de Chambre Française

Manufacturer: Marquis Music
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Trios | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
ASIN: B0007KVENK
Release Date: 2005-04-12

Toscanini: Maestro Furioso, Vol. 3 (Box Set)

Average customer rating:

Rare stuff, but what?

Toscanini: Maestro Furioso, Vol. 3 (Box Set)

Manufacturer: History
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Dances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

German | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Italian | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Toscanini: Maestro Furioso (Box Set)
Arturo Toscanini: The Complete Philadelphia Orchestra Recordings 1941-42

ASIN: B00006L6XU
Release Date: 2006-04-28

Tracks:

Passacaglia And Fugue In C Minor, Bwv582
Symphony No.40 In G Minor, Kv550
Symphony In D Major
Symphony No.8 In F Major, Op.93
Violin Concerto In D Major, Op.61
La Scala De Seta - Overture
Il Barbiere De Siviglia - Overture
La Cenerentola - Overture
Guilaume Tell - Overture
La Traviata - Prelude To Act One
La Forza Del Destino - Overture
Aida - Preludio Act I
Otello - Ballet Music (Ballabili) Act Iii
Eine Faust-Overture
Lohengrin - Prelude To Act One
Die Meistersinger Von Nurnberg - Prelude To Act One
Siegfried-Idyll
Parsifal - Prelude To Act One
Parsifal - Good Friday Music: Act Iii
Symphony No.8 In B Minor, D.759 'Unfinished
Symphony No.3 In A Minor, Op.56 'Scottish'
Hungarian Rhapsody For Orchestra No.2 In C Sharp Minor
Symphony No.3 In E Flat Major, Op.97 'Rhenish'
Symphony No.3 In F Major, Op.90
Scherzo Capriccioso, Op.66
Symphony No.2 In B Minor
Symphony No.1 In D Major, Op.25 'Classique'
Marosszek Dances
Les Eolides - Symphonic Poem For Orchestra
Psyche Et Eros - Symphonic Poem For Orchestra
Images Pour Orchestra: Iberia
Daphnis Et Chloe 'Suite No.2'
Le Festin De L'araignee: Ballet Suite
Ein Heldenlebin, Op.40 - Tone Poem For Orchestra
En Saga, Op.9
Rhapsody In Blue
An American In Paris
Grand Canyon Suite
Adagio For Strings, Op.11

Album Details

10 CD set.

Customer Reviews:

Rare stuff, but what?.......2007-02-05

The engineers pumped up the bass to thunderous levels, likewise boosting the treble to shrillness. These can be corrected by equalizing. But worse, they added dynamic stretching, making the soft parts far too contrasting with the loud -- Toscanini doesn't need this kind of help, and it can't be adjusted in playback. They also overdid the surface noise removal, so that the sound is airless and no room ambience is left.
On the positive side, some performances are available nowhere else, and occasionally offer the live versions of pieces recorded in the studio a day or so later, making for extremely interesting comparisons.
Since once again Amazon has failed to list the pieces (and why would anybody buy a set like this without knowing THAT?!!), here they are, with performance dates:
Bach: Passacaglia & Fugue, arr. Respighi - 22.11.1947
Mozart: Symph. No. 40 - 25.12.1937
Cherubini: Symph. in D major - 10.3.1952
Beethoven: Symph. No. 8 - 25.11.1939
Beethoven : Violin Conc. (with Heifetz) - 11.3.1940
Rossini: Overtures
La Scala di Seta - 5.3.1949
Barbiere - 28.6.1945
Cenerentola - 8.6.1945
Tell - 1.3.1939
Verdi: Traviata 1st act prelude - 10.3.1941
Forza overture - 28.6.1945
Aida act 1 prelude - 30.3.1940
Otello (Ballabili) ballet Act 3 - 16.8.1948
Wagner: Faust overture - 11.11.1946
Lohengrin act 1 prelude - 17.3&6.5.1941
Meistersinger overture - 11.3.1946
Siegfried Idlyll -- 11.3.1946
Parsifal: Act 1 prelude & Good Friday music - 9.4.1944
Schubert: Symph. No. 8 - 12.3&2.6.1950
Mendelssohn: Symph. No. 3 - 5.4.1941
Liszt: Hungarian Rhapsody No. 2 - 4.4.1943
Schumann: Symph. No. 3 - 12.11.1949
Brahms: Symph. No. 3 - 8.2.1941
Dvorak: Scherzo capriccioso - 20.4.1940
Borodin: Symph. No. 2 - 26.2.1938
Prokofiev: Classical Symph. - 10.11.1951
Kodaly: Marosszek dances - 8.2.1941
Franck: Les Eolides - 12.11.1938
Psyche et Eros - 5.1.1952
Debussy: Iberia (NY Phil) - 16.4.1936
Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe suite 2 - 26.11.1938
Roussel: Spider's feast - 7.4.1946
Strauss: Heldenleben - 1.2.1941
Sibelius: En Saga - 15.3.1952
Gershwin: Rhapsody in Blue (with Wild) - 1.11.1942
American in Paris - 14.11.1943
Grofe: Grand Canyon (live) - 10.9.1945
Barber: Adagio - 19.3.1942

MONIQUE HAAS Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

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The Magnificent Monique Haas

MONIQUE HAAS Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Fantasies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Ernest Ansermet: Decca Recordings 1953-1967
Evelyn Lear & Thomas Stewart: A Musical Tribute
Mozart: Symphonies
Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli Vol. 2 [Germany]

ASIN: B000FBHSPE
Release Date: 2006-08-08

Tracks:

Piano Concerto No.14 In E Flat, K.449
Sonata For Piano Duet In B Flat, K.358
Sonata For Piano Duet In D, K.381
Sonata For 2 Pianos In D, K.448
Piano Concerto No.23 In A, K.488
Piano Sonata In F Major, Hob Xvi:23
Variations In E Flat Major, Hob.Xvii:3
Piano Sonata In E Flat, H.Xvi No.52
Fantasia In C, H.Xvii No.4
Piano Concerto In A Minor, Op.54
8 Fantasiestke, Op.12
12 Etudes, Op.10 - No. 5. In G Flat "Black Keys"
12 Etudes, Op.10 - No. 3. In E "Tristesse"
Prudes - Book 1
Prudes - Book 2
12 Etudes Pour Le Piano
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales
Le Tombeau De Couperin
Capriccio For Piano & Orchestra
Piano Concerto In G
Piano Concerto No.3, Bb 127, Sz. 119
Pour Le Piano - 3. Toccata
Prudes - Book 1 - 8. La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin
12 Etudes Pour Le Piano - 6. Pour Les Huit Doigts
Prudes - Book 2 - 12. Feux D'artifice
Piano Concerto In G
Piano Concerto For The Left Hand In D
Sonatine
Konzertmusik
Ricercari Op.46
3 Pies Pour Piano, Op.49
Sonatine
Violin Sonata In G
Violin Sonata No.2 Op.45

Album Details

Monique Haas was One of Dg's Principal Pianists in the 1950s. Her Play is Marked by Its Elegance, Passion and Wonderful Articulation. Here, for the First Time, We Present the Complete Recorded Legacy of this Great Artist on CD. This is a Wide-ranging Box - from Haydn and Mozart to Bartók and Mihalovici (Haas's Rumanian Husband). Featured Artists Include Conductors Eugen Jochum and Ferdinand Leitner, but above all Violinist Max Rostal, who Gives a Marvellous Account of the Ravel Sonata, Along with Marcel Mihalovici's Second Violin Sonata. Other Highlights Include Mozart Piano Duet and Two-piano Works with Heinz Schroter - Brilliantly Virtuosic and a Wonderful Partnership; The Award-winning Recording of the Debussy Etudes, which Has Come Up Excellently in Its First CD Transfer. Rarities Include Test Recordings for Dg from 1949 - Individual Pieces by Debussy.

Customer Reviews:

The Magnificent Monique Haas.......2006-09-29

Before I begin writing this review I would like to pose a question to the folks at DG/Universal. Among the great French classical musicians of the 20th Century, is Monique Haas more fondly remembered in the United States than Pierre Fournier? Clearly the answer must be yes, because you have decided to reissue your new Monique Haas Original Masters box set domestically while the recent Pierre Fournier is only available as a pricey import. UNI, you once again leave me scratching my head at your marketing decisions, but then I never was very good at judging popularity contests.

Ultimately, the music is all that matters, and there are some fine examples on this 8CD set, "Monique Haas: The Complete Recordings on Deutsche Grammophon." Haas was best known for her interpretations of French music, and in particular for reacquainting German audiences with Debussy and Ravel after WWII. Among the French fare included here are two remarkably differing accounts of the Ravel Piano Concerto. The first is a delightfully jazzy mono rendition with Schmidt-Isserstedt from 1948, and the second the famous 1965 stereo recording with Paul Paray (recently reissued as a single title in the DG "Originals" series and reviewed by yours truly), with whom she also produced the Concerto for Left Hand. But as good as the Ravel is, it is the Debussy that steals the show here, and if her award-winning performances of the Preludes and Etudes weren't enough, DG archivists have unearthed four previously unreleased Debussy test recordings from 1949.

While these aforementioned recordings are the cornerstones of this set, they are far from the only compelling material. CDs 1 & 2 are dedicated to Mozart and Haydn, including the 14th and 23rd Piano Concertos with Ferdinand Leitner conducting, and various Sonatas. A touch of the Romantic crops up on disc 3 with the Schumann PC (Jochum/Berlin, 1951), Fantasiestucke, and a couple of Chopin Etudes. These recordings are definitely not Haas' finest moments, but they are interesting if not remarkable. Something that Haas does have a firm grasp of is 20th Century music and she illustrates that on ecstatic readings of the Stravinsky Capriccio and Bartok 3rd, both in mono with Fricsay and the Berlin RIAS, and Hindemith's "Konzertmusik" with the composer conducting. (Unfortunately, the latter performance has already been made available in the Hindemith "Original Masters" set, causing annoying, but I suppose necessary duplication as "Complete" has to be complete.) This set fittingly concludes with an eighth disc of music for Violin and Piano, performed with violinist Max Rostal, and including a composition by her husband Marcel Mihalovici -- Ricercari Op. 46, Variations libres pour piano.

In all, the Monique Haas "Original Masters" set is a most welcome addition to a great series of box sets. I only wish that Universal would make all their sets as universally available as this one.