Debussy: La Mer - Jeux - Rhapsodie pour clarinette et orchestre

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Pierre Boulez made his early reputation as a Debussy conductor, and with good reason. Debussy's reputation as a musical "impressionist" led most people to think of him as a sort of musical Claude Monet--all blurry outlines and fuzzy images--but Boulez changed this perception, bringing an analytical clarity and razor-sharp definition to the composer's musical mosaics. What he has achieved in this second series of Debussy recordings is an additional naturalness and spontaneity of expression. The Cleveland Orchestra is the ideal vehicle for this sort of interpretation, being perhaps the most technically precise band in the world. The result is just about perfect. -- David Hurwitz

Debussy: La Mer - Jeux - Rhapsodie pour clarinette et orchestre, Music, Claude Debussy, The Cleveland Orchestra & Chorus, Pierre Boulez, 20th/21st Century Ballet, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music, Ballet, Chamber, Clarinet Solo/Sonata, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral

Debussy: La Mer - Jeux - Rhapsodie pour clarinette et orchestre
Average customer rating:

Best "La Mer" I've ever heard

Best Jeux, great La Mer

Maybe the top of its class

Utterly exquisite renditions

Boulez and Cleveland in another stunning collaboration

Debussy: La Mer - Jeux - Rhapsodie pour clarinette et orchestre
Claude Debussy , The Cleveland Orchestra & Chorus , and Pierre Boulez
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
Ballets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Romantic (c.1820-1910) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Clarinet | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Cleveland Orchestra | ( C ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Classical | Styles | Music
General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
Similar Items:

Debussy: Images / Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune / Printemps - The Cleveland Orchestra / Pierre Boulez

Maurice Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé / La Valse - Berliner Philharmoniker / Pierre Boulez

Debussy, Ravel: Streichquartette

Ravel: Boléro / Ma Mère L'Oye (complete ballet) / Rapsodie espagnole / Une Barque sur l'océan / Alborada del Gracioso - Berliner Philharmoniker / Pierre Boulez

Mahler: Symphony No. 1

ASIN: B000001GM5
Release Date: 1995-03-21

Tracks:

Nocturnes: Nuages
Nocturnes: Fetes
Nocturnes: Sirenes
Premire Rhapsodie
Jeux: Poeme Danse
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

Amazon.com essential recording

Pierre Boulez made his early reputation as a Debussy conductor, and with good reason. Debussy's reputation as a musical "impressionist" led most people to think of him as a sort of musical Claude Monet--all blurry outlines and fuzzy images--but Boulez changed this perception, bringing an analytical clarity and razor-sharp definition to the composer's musical mosaics. What he has achieved in this second series of Debussy recordings is an additional naturalness and spontaneity of expression. The Cleveland Orchestra is the ideal vehicle for this sort of interpretation, being perhaps the most technically precise band in the world. The result is just about perfect. -- David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Best "La Mer" I've ever heard.......2007-06-24

I join the throng of five-star reviews for this fabulous CD of Debussy specialties including "La Mer" and "Nocturnes". While Pierre Boulez clearly has the training, background, intuition and temperament to define these exquisite works, it is hard to imagine the bad press this CD received when it came out, mainly in England, where one critic said Boulez "eviscerated" the first movement of "La Mer".

That's nonsense, of course. Boulez's performances in these four staples from the Debussy repertoire -- "Nocturnes", "Rhapsodie for clarinet & piano" (or orchestra) with Franklin Cohen, "Jeux", and the incomparable "La Mer" -- are the most subtly inflected readings of this music I've yet heard. No conductor reins in the orchestra the way Boulez does to allow Debussy colors and shifting emotions come through simultaneous with the most exposed solo playing on CD.

I've heard many great performances of these scores by Stokowski and Haitink and I've heard poor performances from big name conductors like Munch and Neemi Jarvi. The thread between them all has been this -- they all treat this music like it is romantic music, especially the closing pages of "La Mer" where the score gives added weight to the brass and FF markings. Boulez is the only conductor I know that controls the orchestra in these moments and presents this music as the gossamer imitation it is -- French impressionism, where subjects are hinted, not spoken or shouted.

I owned this CD some years ago when I was first seriously investigating these scores. It didn't do much for me then and I sold it, recently buying another used copy from an Amazon vendor. I didn't know what to think of it the first time; it was sufficiently different from anything I'd ever heard. Since then, I've sought a version that brings out the shimmering elements of impressionism, without success until today.

Critics were agreed that Boulez's first recording of this music, many years ago on Columbia (now Sony), was a bit on the clinical side. I've never heard that recording but can attest no such criticism applies here. Unless you want French impressionism applied romantically, you will love these intimate and subtle interpretations of Debussy's greatest music.

Best Jeux, great La Mer.......2006-10-20

When SF Symphony played Jeux last year, MTT described to the audience why the orchestra loved to play the piece, calling it "chamber music for orchestra". Their performance brought out details of the score that demonstrated why they were so enthusiastic. I went through a number of recordings searching for one that provided the same clarity I heard that night, allowing the listener to appreciate the interplay of the various parts. This is it. And it comes with a wonderful version of La Mer as well.

Maybe the top of its class.......2005-09-03

Of course the Cleveland orchestra is exceptional to begin with and Debussey is done, like Caesar's wife, above reproach. Precise, delicate, intricate. Just leave it on 'Repeat Play' and listen to it while you read. Or, just devote the time to it. A favorite recording of a favorite composition. Larry Scantlebury. 5 stars.

Utterly exquisite renditions.......2004-02-18

Even though Boulez is renowned for bringing discipline to his orchestras, I still never cease to marvel at how he pulled off these simply seamless, splendid performances. Discipline is of the utmost importance with Debussy: a brass sections that doesn't have its dynamics perfectly under control can destroy "La Mer" in any number of places. The same can be said of the female chorus in "Nocturnes: Sirenes." We have all heard the wobbly, out-of-control chorus in Sirenes, that demolishes all of the splendid orhcestral work that preceded it.

On the other hand, discipline can go overboard and turn into a rigid mechanical performance, and nobody needs to hear an orchestra going through the motions, hitting every note perfectly, but rendering a performance bereft of any passion whatsoever. The trick is to walk the line perfectly between being disciplined and being mechanical, and Boulez has indeed pulled this off.

It is just wonderful to hear a smoothly modulated brass section playing its part with the right level of nuance, and a woodwind section dealing with Debussy's challenging rhythms with ease and comfort. The string section also play their parts perfectly.

I also must tip my hat to Franklin Cohen for his performance in as fine a Rhapsodie as I have ever heard.

Overall, this is an endlessly pleasing Debussy disc. The casual listener can simply enjoy Debussy's music on its own merits, while the more serious listener can enjoy diving into the intricacies of Debussy's score, appreciating the splendid job that Boulez & the Cleveland Orchestra has done.

Boulez and Cleveland in another stunning collaboration.......2002-06-20

Let's face it: there are many fine Debussy recordings on the market, and "Jeux" and "La Mer" have been recorded often. I especially like Dutoit's recording with the Montreal orchestra, and Haitink's with the Concertgebouw from the 1970's (which as part of a two-disc set is also quite a bargain).

But if you are looking for a version in clear, modern sound, this might be the one. Boulez is just about perfect for this music, with his emphasis on clarity, coupled with a somewhat unsentimental approach.

Deutsche Grammophon's recording is outstanding. Even in the loudest passages of "La Mer" for example, every instrumental strand can still be heard.

The Cleveland Orchestra is, well, the Cleveland Orchestra - an incomparable group that is worth sampling any time, in any repertoire. Their playing here appears so effortless - which of course it isn't - and that illusion only heightens the mood created by the relaxed brilliance of Debussy's writing.

A great recording, for fans of Boulez, the orchestra, and of course these magnificent, glittering Debussy scores.

Music Review: