BaL 27.10.12 - Debussy's Images

[BBMmk2]

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

Good afternoon, everyone!

I have that one also Alison! Also Rattle and Hvk, and I think Abbado? Where is 's lis(zt)(!) gone?

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I have that one also Alison! Also Rattle and Hvk, and I think Abbado? Where is 's lis(zt)(!) gone?

Oh, in my drams! Sadly, Bbm, Herbie-babes never performed/recorded the Images. Fortunately, Haitink, Previn and Boulez (twice) did and these are all superb. I'm very keen to hear van Immerseel, too!

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Apologies for the late arrival. Have been away for the weekend. And for some reason I can't add the list to the first posting at the moment.

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”.

[french frank]

I've added the list to the OP. Not sure what the problem was with editing - will investigate.

[LeMartinPecheur]

GAH!! Was dead sure I had the Haitink that everyone's drooling about but no, that seems to be the one of his Debussy LPs I didn't snap up, possibly because it duplicated my Philips LP with LSO/ Monteux. Surprised to find the only other one I have is the Martinon in a splendid cheepo complete(ish?) Debussy/ Ravel orch-works CD box set.

May have to lash out on the BH then...

[Bryn]

It's about time Universal issued a new higher resolution remastering of the whole of the Haitink Images. They released a 96/24 based remastering of Iberia in 2001, but not the rest of the work.

[richardfinegold]

[QUOTE=Eine Alpensinfonie;214689]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, Iberia

I have Previn/LSO ,the Martinon recording with the O.R.T.F. and the Haitink recording. The Deneve just arrived yesterday and I haven't had time to listen yet. It seems that everyone hear loves the Haitink, and it is a fine performance. Martinon sounds more atmospheric, particularly in the first of the Images. The Previn was one of the first CDS that I ever bought and sold me on the medium as a superior source to vinyl.

[BBMmk2]

Oh, in my drams! Sadly, Bbm, Herbie-babes never performed/recorded the Images. Fortunately, Haitink, Previn and Boulez (twice) did and these are all superb. I'm very keen to hear van Immerseel, too!

Dont know what the heck I was thinking there Ferney! thank you for thgat.

Haitink for me, everytime! Possibly the best recorded Debussy?

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Interest in the Bruckner 4 seems to have diverted us from today's review - now about to begin.

[verismissimo]

Shamefully forgot that I have the wonderful LSO/Monteux recording and have been listening to Cleveland/Boulez with pleasure this week.

To the Monteux after JS has told us his preference.

[Beresford]

Did Guilini record Images?

Haitink for me, everytime! Possibly the best recorded Debussy?[/QUOTE]

Excellent review IMHO, told you or showed you what you needed to know.
(although felt a bit done out of Boulez)
I thought Haitink the best on offer - it was the favourite in the La Mer review a few years ago.
But I preferred (slightly) the Guilini version of La Mer to Haitink's; so does anyone know if Guilini recorded Images ever?

[ardcarp]

JS's review ticked all my boxes. He had a thorough knowledge of the score, the orchestras, the conductors and of recording niceties. And he presented the programme with an easy charm...authoritative without 'lecturing'. For me, the fact that Monteux was alive in Debussy's time makes the final choice a particularly happy one (especially as it's the one I've already got!). Lucky it's the LSO, 'cos you need a world class band to do the piece justice however great the conductor. It ain't easy to play.

[teamsaint]

Yes, a good one today. inspired me to look further.....

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

JS's review ticked all my boxes. He had a thorough knowledge of the score, the orchestras, the conductors and of recording niceties. And he presented the programme with an easy charm...authoritative without 'lecturing'.

... a little harsh on Boulez' later recording and draconian on his earlier version, I thought; but he "sold" the Monteux to me - another added to the list!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

so does anyone know if Guilini recorded Images ever?

Not as far as I'm aware, and not currently available if he did: only La Mer and Nocturnes. (A seemingly enticing coupling of "Giulini" and "Images" on a google search reveals a DG CD with Michael Tilson-Thomas conducting the Images and Giulini in La Mer! )