Printemps

On this CD:

1. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 De l'aube à l'après-midi sur la mer (1905 Version)
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

2. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 Jeux de vagues (1905 Version)
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

3. La Mer (3), symphonic sketches for orchestra, L. 109 Dialogue du vent et de la mer (1905 Version)
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

4. Nocturnes, for female chorus & orchestra, L. 91 No 1, Nuages
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

5. Nocturnes, for female chorus & orchestra, L. 91 No 2, Fêtes
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

6. Nocturnes, for female chorus & orchestra, L. 91 No 3, Sirènes
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

7. Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), for orchestra, L. 86
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Conservatory Concert Society Orchestra
Conducted by Constantin Silvestri

8. Printemps, symphonic suite for chorus, piano & orchestra, L. 61 Part 1
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Henri Busser / Orchestre National de l' O.R.T.F.
Conducted by Jean Martinon

9. Printemps, symphonic suite for chorus, piano & orchestra, L. 61 Part 2
Composed by Claude Debussy
Performed by Henri Busser / Orchestre National de l' O.R.T.F.
Conducted by Jean Martinon

Album Description

Music can be both calming and relaxing, or invigorating and passionate...this phenomenal 20-CD set is definitely the latter. This amazing collection brings together for the first time the most passionate music of all time, from Ravel's Bolero, Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, Wagner's Magic Fire Music to Ravel's La Valse, Orff 's Carmina Burana and Stravinsky's Rite of Spring. This is a must have collection for every passionate music lover.

Customer Reviews:

A good gift for novice.......2007-05-12

This was a good gift for somebody learning about Classical music in Japan.

Average customer rating:

La Mer is one of my all-time favorites
Wonderful
Great interpretations, but the recorded sound is ok
Ravishing Debussy from a master of French music

Debussy: La Mer

Manufacturer: Decca
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

The Decca Records Store | Specialty Stores | Music
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Ravel: Boléro
Haydn: The London Symphonies, Vol. 1
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Bartók: Concerto for Orchestra; Music for Strings, Percussion and Celesta; Hungarian Sketches

ASIN: B00002MXMY
Release Date: 1999-11-09

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:

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

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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

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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/Nocturnes/Prélude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune/Printemps

Average customer rating:

Debussy: La Mer/Nocturnes/Prélude A L'Apres-Midi D'Un Faune/Printemps

Manufacturer: Angel Records
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Tracks:

De Laube A L'apres-Midi Sur La Mer
Jeux De Vagues
Dialogue Du Vent Et De La Mer
I. Nuages
II. Fetes
III. Sirenes
Prelude A L'apres-Midi D'un Faune
Part 1 - Orchestra National De L'Ortf
Part 2 - Orchestra National De L'Ortf

Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un Faune

Average customer rating:

Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un Faune

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B00000E6CP
Release Date: 1991-07-05

Average customer rating:

the Maxfield Parrish of classical music!
enchanting, surreal

Debussy: Orchestral Works

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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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!

Average customer rating:

An Excellent Collection of Debussy Orchestral Music

Debussy: Orchestral Works [Box Set]

Manufacturer: Chandos
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music

Classical | Box Sets | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000000AAX
Release Date: 1995-09-19

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.

Average customer rating:

A Feast of Historic Debussy Recordings

Debussy: Orchestral Music

Manufacturer: Andante
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:

Orchestral Music
Wilhelm Furtwängler: Live Recordings 1944-1953
Mozart: "Le Nozze di Figaro" / 1937 Salzburg Festival / Pinza, Rhéthy, Stabile, Novotná, Vienna Phil., Walter
Arturo Toscanini: The Complete Philadelphia Orchestra Recordings 1941-42
Pierre Monteux Decca & Philips Recordings, 1956-1964

ASIN: B0007MR0XQ
Release Date: 2005-03-22

Customer Reviews:

A Feast of Historic Debussy Recordings.......2005-04-11

The Andante label has had a hit-or-miss record with its boxed reissues of historic recordings. Some have been fabulous (e.g., the two 'Fidelio' performances, boxed together, by Böhm and Furtwängler) and some not so good (e.g., the two 'Falstaffs' by Toscanini and Karajan--each far outclassed by commercially available alternative performances by these conductors). Each of these Andante sets appears to contain four CDs, a long and informative essay, plus bios of the important participants taken from the New Grove (in English, French and German) and all in a hard-bound book that is in a slipcase. A classy presentation.

This issue is one of the best I've run across. First, let me comment about the sound. Some of these recordings go back to the 1920s ('Rhapsodie' for saxophone and orchestra, with saxophonist Jules Viard, recorded 1929), most are from the 1930s, a few from no later than 1951. And every single one of them is in probably the best possible sound and in most instances it is astoundingly good. I swear that transfer and restoration engineers (and their software) are getting better and better and I, for one, am thrilled about that. (Unfortunately, these marvelous ladies and gentlemen are not mentioned by name, at least that I can find, in the otherwise extensive information provided about the recordings. Andante really owes it to them to name them.)

Let me simply list the contents (as of this date Amazon has not done so):

CD1: Prélude l'aprs-midi d'une faune, Walther Straram, cond. (featuring the meltingly glorious flute-playing of the legendary Marcel Moyse); Nocturnes, D.-É. Ingelbrecht; Nocturnes, Piero Coppola; La Damoiselle Élue, Coppola

CD2: La Mer, Coppola (1932); La Mer, Toscanini, NBCSO, (1950); La Mer, Désormière, Czech Phil. (1950)

CD3: Danses sacres et profanes, Marcel Grandjany (harp), S. Levin, cond.; Petite Suite (orch. Büsser), Coppola; Petite Suite (orch. Büsser), Henri Bsser, cond; Marche Écossaise, Toscanini, NBCSO, 1940; Le Martyre de St. Sébastien (suite), Coppola; Première Rhapsodie, Hamelin, clar., Coppola; Première Rhapsodie, Benny Goodman, clar., Barbirolli, NYPO

CD4: Rhapsodie, Viard, sax., Coppola; Ibéria, Coppola; Ibéria, Reiner, Pittsburgh SO; Rondes de Printemps and Gigues (both from 'Images'), Reiner, San Francisco SO; Printemps, Coppola

As you can see, Piero Coppola conducts many of the selections here. I had known his name and had heard a few of his recordings back in the 78rpm days, but didn't really remember much about him. Well, let me tell you, this Milan-born composer/conductor who spent most of his professional life in Belgium and France and who here primarily conducts the Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, is magnificent. His 'La Mer' from 1932, for instance, ranks as one of the subtlest and yet most naturally unfolding of any I've ever heard and is certainly the equal of the other two 'La Mer' performances here (Toscanini and Désormière, each wonderful in his own right ).

Other highlights (actually there are almost too many to single out) include Goodman's 'Clarinet Rhapsodie,' Grandjany's 'Sacred and Profane Dances' (was there ever a harpist with a lovelier sound?), Moyse's 'Afternoon of a Faun,' both performances of the 'Nocturnes,' Büsser's 'Petite Suite,' Reiner's 'Ibéria' (whew! - what excitement in Mmt. III!), the two movements from 'Images' by Monteux.

Obviously, this is not an issue for anyone but a die-hard lover of both Debussy and historical performances. There are modern recordings of all of these works, in modern sound, and let's face it, the cost of this box set is pretty steep. But, if like me, you are committed to learning about the history of recorded music you will wind up treasuring many of those performances and this one is definitely one for your purchase list. I think it's worth every penny you'd spend because it will bring literally tens of hours of enjoyment.

Strongly recommended for the right audience.

TT=ca. 5 hrs

Scott Morrison

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