BaL 27.10.12 - Debussy's Images

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

9.30 a.m. Jonathan Swain with a personal recommendation from recordings of Debussy's Images for orchestra

Available recordings:


L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Eduard van Beinum
Orchestra dell'Accademia di Santa Cecilia, Rome, Leonard Bernstein - DVD
BBC Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez – DVD
The Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire, André Cluytens
Royal Scottish National Orchestra, Stéphane Denève
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Antál Doráti
Montreal Symphony Orchestra, Charles Dutoit
Orchestre Philharmonique de Radio France, Mikko Franck
Luxemburg Radio Orchestra, Louis de Froment
Orchestre National de France, Daniele Gatti
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Bernard Haitink
Orchestre National de la Radiodiffusion Française, Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht
Orchestre National de Lyon, Jun Märkl
Orchestre National de l‘O.R.T.F., Jean Martinon
French National Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
London Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Monteux
London Symphony Orchestra, André Previn
Belgian Radio and Television Philharmonic Orchestra, Alexander Rahbari
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Sir Simon Rattle
Rotterdam Philharmonic, Jukka-Pekka Saraste
Ulster Orchestra, Yan Pascal Tortelier

Additionally, there are recordings of the individual movements – in particular, no. 2 “Iberia”.

[Hornspieler]

I have a very fine recording by Silvestri with the Bournemouth orchestra. (but then I would say that, wouldn't I?)

Good morning, everyone!

HS

[silvestrione]

I have a very fine recording by Silvestri with the Bournemouth orchestra. (but then I would say that, wouldn't I?)

Good morning, everyone!

HS

Good morning (afternoon) Hornspieler...I take it you're playing in that version? But I don't seem to have it, is it available? I have Jeux and La Mer, and the Three Nocturnes (and more) with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra.

[Alison]

I have a very fine recording by Haitink with the Amsterdam orchestra. (but then I would say that, wouldn't I?)

Good afternoon, everyone!

[Hornspieler]

Good morning (afternoon) Hornspieler...I take it you're playing in that version? But I don't seem to have it, is it available? I have Jeux and La Mer, and the Three Nocturnes (and more) with the Paris Conservatoire Orchestra.

My profound apologies to all and sundry.

It is Iberia - not Images that I have with Silvestri and the BSO.

HS

[Barbirollians]

Haitink for me too - a wonderful late analogue recording gloriously played.

[gurnemanz]

Haitink for me too - a wonderful late analogue recording gloriously played.

I agree. An early CD purchase on Philips Duo. The white plastic on the front edge is turning brown with age.

[jayne lee wilson]

A wonderful piece!

My Debussian pride and joy is a Classic Records Gold Disc of the Complete Images, performed by the Suisse Romande Orchestra with Ataulfo Argenta conducting.
A true Decca London classic, it has the original LP picture of a castle, built high on a rocky outcrop, against a blue and white sky.

The Victoria Hall sound, the intensity of the shared vision of orchestra and conductor, the French and Spanish poetry of the phrase and timbre are an utter joy. It's very special.


...otherwise it's Munch with the Boston Symphony, Cluytens with the (deep breath) Orchestre de la Societe des Concerts du Conservatoire, or the less well-known Manuel Rosenthal with the (second deep breath) Orchestre du Theatre National de l'Opera de Paris.

[Parry1912]

Haitink or Previn for me!

[VodkaDilc]

What a disappointment. As a pianist, I got all excited when I saw the title of this thread. Would my chosen recordings (Arrau, Thibaudet, Trpceski and Bavouzet are on my shelves) get the approval of this peerless critic, JS? Then I saw it was to be orchestral Debussy! (Retires to corner to sulk!)

[Alison]

this peerless critic, JS?

Sir Jonathan Swain.

Right on. Peerless.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

There are plenty of excellent recordings of Images available, from Munch and Ansermet to Dutoit. Recent new issues may well have prompted it as a subject of BaL - Markl/ Lyon on Naxos, Gatti/ ONF on Sony and Denève/ RSNO on Chandos. I especially like Denève's set.

[Alison]

Yes, I really want to get to know the Deneve set and look forward to sampling next week.

[Il Grande Inquisitor]

And there is an intriguing recording forthcoming from Anima Eterna/ Immerseel - I do hope Jonathan Swain has been given a preview copy.

[Petrushka]

Haitink and Munch for me too. Both of these are so good there is no need for me to look for another.