Milhaud: La création du mond; Le boeuf sur le toit; Concerto pour harpe

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
"The Creation of the World" is one of the first (and best) classical- jazz fusion pieces. The ballet was composed as a direct result of the composer's experience of Harlem nightclubs in the early years of this century, and for sheer audacity and authenticity, it has never really been surpassed, not even by composers like George Gerswhin. "Le Boeuf sur le Toit" (The Cow on the Roof), on the other hand, is a saucy evocation of the sites and sounds of Rio during Carnival season. It has become one of this very prolific composer's most popular pieces. The Harp Concerto is, as the title indicates, a purely abstract piece with a deeply felt slow movement and a zippy finale. These performances are crisp and alert. --David Hurwitz

Tracks:

Le Boeuf sur le toit, op. 58
La Crion du Monde, op. 81: Ouverture
La Crion du Monde, op. 81: 1. tableau
La Crion du Monde, op. 81: 2. tableau
La Crion du Monde, op. 81: 3. tableau
La Crion du Monde, op. 81: 4. tableau
La Crion du Monde, op. 81: 5. tableau
Concerto pour Harpe, op. 323: 1st Mouvement
Concerto pour Harpe, op. 323: 2nd Mouvement
Concerto pour Harpe, op. 323: 3rd Mouvement

Amazon.com

"The Creation of the World" is one of the first (and best) classical- jazz fusion pieces. The ballet was composed as a direct result of the composer's experience of Harlem nightclubs in the early years of this century, and for sheer audacity and authenticity, it has never really been surpassed, not even by composers like George Gerswhin. "Le Boeuf sur le Toit" (The Cow on the Roof), on the other hand, is a saucy evocation of the sites and sounds of Rio during Carnival season. It has become one of this very prolific composer's most popular pieces. The Harp Concerto is, as the title indicates, a purely abstract piece with a deeply felt slow movement and a zippy finale. These performances are crisp and alert. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Suave but lackadaisical readings of saucy pieces.......2006-06-03

David Hurwitz thinks that "boeuf" means cow and that Milhaud relished the "sites and sounds" of Brazil? Oh well. Kent Nagano has paired Milhaud's two most famous pieces--and almost the only ones that survive from this overly prolific composer, who looked like a dapper French Buddha.

Devoted as Nagano has been to the Gallic cause, he misfires in both works. "La Creation" is far too careful, and not nearly jazzy enough. "Boeuf" starts off in the right lively vein, but we quickly leave Rio behind and find ourselves in a stuffy ocncert hall. The charming but negligible Harp Concerto also gets a sweet, rather bland reading, but that's in the nature of the piece. (Anyone seeking a lively Boeuf sur le Toit should look to violinist Arnaud Capucon's quirky re-mix with rising conductor Daniel Harding.)

Eminently satisfying!.......2005-06-23

Superb performances (as you'd expect from Nagano) and recordings (as you'd expect from a fully digital, Erato release). This virtually hour-long edition is fully worthy of a place in the connoisseur's collection. Highly recommended!

Still Searching for the Best.......2000-05-31

I own this recording and Bernstein's version, but have been unable to find a reissue of Milhaud's own late 60s rendition on Nonesuch. It is by far the most energetic, impassioned version of the three. "La Boeuf" and "La Creation" are two of the "greatest hits" of 20th century composition and certainly are among my favorites. Go to the listing of this recording and listen to "La Creation" 1st tableau. Every time I hear this section, I can imagine myself in the back seat of a Paris taxi circa 1930 hurtling down the boulevarde in the rain. I always enjoy the ride. Give these tunes a listen and form your own impressions. I would give the Nonesuch recording five stars if I could find it on Amazon. In lieu of that gem, this recording is adequate. I prefer it to the Bernstein.

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