BaL 11.06.22 - Debussy: La Mer

[cloughie]

In addition to the BBC MM CD (BBCNOW/Otaka) I find I have seven other versions on my shelves, though some were 'incidental' purchases through Debussy/Ravel sets or conductor big boxes.

OSR/Ansermet
LPO/Baudo
Cleveland/Boulez
NPO/Boulez
Philharmonia/Giulini
RCO/Haitink
ONdel'ORTF/Martinon

The Baudo (on EMI Eminence) seems to be nla, but I remember it having a good review when it was first released (though that might have been for the performance of Jeux).
The Giulini CD is a promotional one, with the catalogue 'number' NIPPER 1. I think it came free with an issue of Gramophone when EMI launched their Great Recordings of the Century series: does anyone else have it in that incarnation?

I don't really have a favourite/go-to version, so I'm looking forward to this BaL in the hopes of getting some pointers to what I should be looking/listening out for, and what makes a recommendable version.

I had a copy of NIPPER 1 which I replaced with one of the Giulini boxes - his EMI recordings were almost without exception, exceptional!
I have nipped back briefly to the forum because of La Mer - is there a more perfect work? I never tire of hearing it - I have a large number of recordings on the shelves and I can’t think of any that are less than rather good and many including the PO Giulini are excellent. Ansermet visited it 3 or 4 times, Munch and Reiner very good, and one well worth a listen which if nit list-topping, may be overlooked or even sneered at, is Rahbari on Naxos. I’m not sure I have a absolute top favourite so the BaL will be worth a listen.

[MickyD]

Roth’s Les-Siecles mentioned in #10 strips away the accreted varnish of the years to reveal vivid colours and a fresh, lean approach. A curiosity (akin to Gould’s version of Brahms’ PC 1) is Celebedache’s version with the Munich PO, so slow it should be renamed le Glacier. But it does reveal the inner workings and sub-structure like few other versions I’ve heard. Worth listening to once (and great playing by the orchestra).

I haven't acquired this one yet, but I do have another HIPP version from Jos Van Immerseel and his Anima Aeterna orchestra. Can anyone tell me how they compare?

[cloughie]

I haven't acquired this one yet, but I do have another HIPP version from Jos Van Immerseel and his Anima Aeterna orchestra. Can anyone tell me how they compare?

What constitutes HIPP when it comes to Debussy - good traditional gallic sounding horns?

[silvestrione]

It’s not in the Eloquence Desormiere set but is available as a download from Supraphon. One of my all-time favourite La Mer recordings.

Oh sorry, jumped to conclusions there. Yes, one of my favourites, I have it in a fine Andante box which also has Toscanini's in it. Sviatoslav Richter called it his favourite recording (of anything, I think he meant!).

[RichardB]

I haven't acquired this one yet, but I do have another HIPP version from Jos Van Immerseel and his Anima Aeterna orchestra. Can anyone tell me how they compare?

I much prefer Roth in every respect. Although Abbado's Lucerne recording is surely one of the finest orchestral performances ever recorded.

[Bryn]

A version on the list which I like enormously is Manuel Rosenthal's recording. I've never quite understood why it's so often overlooked (though I know there are Rosenthal enthusiasts on this forum who will already know and love it). There used to be a wonderful Accord/Universal box including all his Véga recordings of Debussy and Ravel (and other things), but I always thought that La Mer was particularly good, and it's in decent stereo too.

Like the Desormiere, it's available in a 96/24 BnF transfer, from QOBUZ. Both imported here this morning.

[richardfinegold]

Like the Desormiere, it's available in a 96/24 BnF transfer, from QOBUZ. Both imported here this morning.

Weren’t you not in the market for a new one? The one that I always return to is Paray. Not the most sumptuous recording and the Detroit SO clearly inferior to many of the luxurious ensembles here, but the right combination of atmosphere and power.
I am surprised to see 4 Barenboim recordings (one is a DVD and may be a duplicate). Having sat through a performance led by him in Chicago, and having owned an lp with him leading Orchestre de Paris, he seems to have little sympathy or understanding
for it. I heard the Karajan a bit back and enjoyed it immensely. It was pilloried as “Das Mer” when it came out and for the life of me I don’t see why. I had the Roth after it was praised to the skies; I didn’t get on with it, the main interest being the unique sonorities which after two playing loses it’s novelty

[Bryn]

Weren’t you not in the market for a new one? . . .

I have a QOBUZ subscription, Importing costs only the electricity consumed in the process. I will listen a few times, then delete them.

[gradus]

One of those pieces that Toscanini did to perfection imv and never mind the recording quality thus I've never bothered to buy other versions good as I am sure they are.

[cloughie]

One of those pieces that Toscanini did to perfection imv and never mind the recording quality thus I've never bothered to buy other versions good as I am sure they are.

Debussy created the perfection - it was just left to orchestras and conductors to perform it - and many have!

[CallMePaul]

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Debussy-Mer...l%2C112&sr=1-2

I have looked at this and the price is a disgrace. I assume that someone at Amazon (and those on their marketplace selling the CD new) are aware that HM has deleted the hard copy of this and is taking advantage. I can remember a time when deletions could be purchased for a fraction of the original price. Amazon may still have some good deals but they are far fewer than was once the case.

[Bryn]

Debussy created the perfection - it was just left to orchestras and conductors to perform it - and many have!

Debussy wrote the recipe. It is the role of the orchestra and conductor to 'bake the cake' and put the icing on it.

[cloughie]

Debussy wrote the recipe. It is the role of the orchestra and conductor to 'bake the cake' and put the icing on it.

The perfect recipe!

[Barbirollians]

I have looked at this and the price is a disgrace. I assume that someone at Amazon (and those on their marketplace selling the CD new) are aware that HM has deleted the hard copy of this and is taking advantage. I can remember a time when deletions could be purchased for a fraction of the original price. Amazon may still have some good deals but they are far fewer than was once the case.

Lots of those deals came from the EU.

[Barbirollians]

Flora Willson is right at the bottom of BAL reviewers her dire Das Lied con der Erde and Magic Flute BALs were an embarrassment.