Debussy: Fantaisie; Rapsodies; Danses

On this CD:

1. Fantaisie for piano & orchestra, L. 73
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ulster Orchestra with Anne Queffelec
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

2. Rhapsodie for clarinet & piano (or orchestra), L. 116
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ulster Orchestra with Christopher King
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

3. Danses, for harp & string orchestra, L. 103
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ulster Orchestra with Rachel Masters
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

4. Rhapsody for alto saxophone & orchestra (or piano), L. 98
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Jean Roger-Ducasse / Ulster Orchestra with Gerard McChrystal
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

5. Pour le piano, suite for piano, L. 95 No 2, Sarabande, arr for orchestra by Ravel
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ulster Orchestra with Maurice Ravel
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

6. L'isle joyeuse, for piano, L. 106
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Bernardino Molinari / Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

7. La plus que lente, waltz for piano (or orchestra), L. 121
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Ulster Orchestra with Derek Bell
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

8. Suite bergamasque, for piano, L. 75 Clair de lune
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Andre Caplet / Ulster Orchestra
Conducted by Yan Pascal Tortelier

Tracks:

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

Customer Reviews:

Worth Buying for the Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra.......2005-02-12

Anne Queffelec is a gossamer impressionistic pianist who understands these works by Debussy. While the entire CD is worth having for the variety it contains in works for orchestra and instruments (here are Debussy's "concerti" for Piano, Harp, Clarinet, Alto Saxophone) as well as the better known works for solo piano, the primary reason to add this CD to your collection is a performance of the rarely heard, exquisitely beautiful Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra. Queffelec has recorded it once before but this one is preferable because of the setting (her other recording includes the two Ravel Piano Concerti).

Debussy did not write the conventional concerto here, but rather used the piano to embellish the overall tonality of this piece so influenced by his preoccupation with Asian music. Here he uses the pentatonic scale based on the Javanese madenda scale and in the language of this French master the result is an exotic conversation between piano and orchestra. The piece is short and in three movements, though the last two flow into one another. This is not a bravura work, but in Queffelec's hands it is wistfully romantic and a very lovely performance.

Would that other pianists would record this ignored work. A recent performance by Emanuel Ax with the LA Phil was a moment of rare beauty that deserves capturing for the world audience. Grady Harp, February 2005

No. 1 Debussy (Chandos).......2002-04-10