BaL 22.02.25 - Bizet: L'Arlesienne Suites

[Pulcinella]

I was indulging in a slight leg pull there I confess. However, do try listening to the Minkowski Smittims. The wind playing with growly, guttural bassoons gives huge pleasure. There is a real taste of the south.

Just streaming the Minkowski: some incidental music apart from the two suites, too.

[smittims]

Yes, Sir V, I admit I misunderstood your use of 'ruled out'. I suppose they will choose a more recent version. Les Siecles might do it well, if yoiu remember their fine 'Le Cid' ballet music (Massenet) at the Proms a few years ago.

[cloughie]

Goodness, if you think the soundof the Beecham recordig is 'elderly' Sir Velo, I'm afraid you'd get no pleasure from Beinum or Beer, or any of the older versions which I return to frequently with great pleasure. Do try to listen to historical reordings. I'm sure you are missing a treat.

Anyone seeking Gallic charm need go no further than Cluytens from his big box with two recordings - FNRO (mono) and PCO (stereo).

[MickyD]

Yes, Sir V, I admit I misunderstood your use of 'ruled out'. I suppose they will choose a more recent version. Les Siecles might do it well, if yoiu remember their fine 'Le Cid' ballet music (Massenet) at the Proms a few years ago.

Is there any news of Les Siècles after the Roth scandal?

[HighlandDougie]

Is there any news of Les Siècles after the Roth scandal?

See: https://www.lessiecles.com/saison-24-25/

They have kept their affiliation with Tourcoing and still seem to be sponsored by the Foundation set up by the Société Générale but F-X R has been airbrushed out of existence on their website (I think), although I noticed a new recording of Stravinsky's Le Rossignol featuring him with the orchestra is about to be released by Erato.

[Roslynmuse]

The Beecham recording was the one I grew up with and so I have a soft spot for it, whatever the age and sound quality - last time I listened, maybe a couple of years ago, it bothered me not at all. The second half of the opening mt of Suite 1, with the quiet strings and sax solo, is very special, as is the Adagietto. I remember when it was released on SXLP in 1979, Gramophone commented on poor sound quality, but retracted a month or two later - the reviewer had his settings wrong!

My father had an LP of Groves and the Bournemouth SO in Suite 1 plus the Farandole, coupled with Beethoven 4 and the Academic Festival Overture, but I don't remember it making much of an impression.

[MickyD]

See: https://www.lessiecles.com/saison-24-25/

They have kept their affiliation with Tourcoing and still seem to be sponsored by the Foundation set up by the Société Générale but F-X R has been airbrushed out of existence on their website (I think), although I noticed a new recording of Stravinsky's Le Rossignol featuring him with the orchestra is about to be released by Erato.

Thank you, Dougie - good to hear. I wonder if there are any other recordings with him already in the can?

[Pulcinella]

Thank you, Dougie - good to hear. I wonder if there are any other recordings with him already in the can?

At only 46 minutes, that Rossignol is pretty poor value.
I wonder if a filler work was originally planned and has now been abandoned?
(Apologies for staying/straying off topic!)

[Hitch]

All I have is the Karajan/Berlin DG offering, so this thread is giving me some tempting Gallic suggestions. O for a beaker full of the warm South...

[MickyD]

At only 46 minutes, that Rossignol is pretty poor value.
I wonder if a filler work was originally planned and has now been abandoned?
(Apologies for staying/straying off topic!)

I have my doubts; their Stravinsky Violin Concerto/Isabelle Faust disc for Harmonia Mundi was similarly criticised for clocking in at only 43 minutes !

[Darloboy]

Abbado was the winner back in 2011; it’s the only recording I have. Jeremy Sams will have to be pretty persuasive about his chosen version and the piece itself to lure me into buying another.

Yes, and I've made a note that David Nice also played extracts from Minkowski for a period performance and Plasson for the complete incidental music.

[Barbirollians]

Abbado was the winner back in 2011; it’s the only recording I have. Jeremy Sams will have to be pretty persuasive about his chosen version and the piece itself to lure me into buying another.

Bought a secondhand copy of this in its Galleria CD issue - liked it but short measure . Still prefer Beecham on replaying that .

[MickyD]

No comments on this yet?

[Pulcinella]

No comments on this yet?

The recommended version has been posted already:

Recommended version:
Les Musiciens du Louvre
Chœur de l’opéra de Lyon
Marc Minkowski (conductor)
Naïve V5130

[MickyD]

Oh thank you, coincidentally I've just bought that Minkowski version on Sir Velo's earlier recommendation. It must boast one of the most attractive CD booklets of all time, beautifully presented.