Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte; Ma Mère l'Oye

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
A serviceable rendition of La Mer is followed by a sensuous, delicately colored Prelude to the afternoon of a faun. Ravel's beloved Pavane plods, but the Mother Goose music is delightfully playful and lovely. Perhaps the program's unevenness reflects the fact that it is compiled from two sessions more than four years apart--a reasonable programming decision, but not a good musical one. --David Vernier

Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte; Ma Mère l'Oye, Music, Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel, Carlo Maria Giulini, Concertgebouw Orchestra Amsterdam, Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, 20th/21st Century Ballet, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music, Ballet, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Concerto, Keyboard, Music for Four Hands at One Keyboard, Orchestral, Orchestral Music, Pavane for Keyboard
Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • The only set you need
  • Outstanding performances at any price
  • More Evocative than some of Mahler's Symphonies
  • One stop shopping! Unparalleled Debussy, and excellent Ravel
  • In Debussy Martinon is unbeatble!
 Debussy, Ravel: Orchestral Works
Claude Debussy , Jean Martinon , and Orchestre de Paris
Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

GeneralGeneral | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00006HM8X
Release Date: 2002-11-05

Tracks:

  1. I: De L'aube A Midi Sur La Mer - Jean Martinon
  2. II: Jeux De Vagues - Jean Martinon
  3. III: Dialogue Du Vent Et De La Mer - Jean Martinon
  4. I: Nuages - Jean Martinon
  5. II: Fetes - Jean Martinon
  6. III: Sirenes - Choeurs De L'Ortf
  7. Prelude A L'apres-midi D'un Faune - Alain Marion
  8. Marche Ecossaise - Jean Martinon
  9. Berceuse Heroique - Jean Martinon
  10. I: Fanfare - Jean Martinon
  11. II: Le Sommeil De Lear - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

  1. Jeux (Poeme Danse) - Jean Martinon
  2. 1. Gigues/2. Iberia - Jean Martinon
  3. I: Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins - Jean Martinon
  4. II: Les Parfums De La Nuit - Jean Martinon
  5. III: Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete - Jean Martinon
  6. 3. Rondes De Printemps - Jean Martinon
  7. Premiere Partie - Jean Martinon
  8. Deuxieme Partie - Fabienne Boury

Tracks:

  1. 1. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum - Jules Goetgheluck
  2. 2. Jimbo's Lullaby - Jules Goetgheluck
  3. 3. Serenade For The Doll - Jules Goetgheluck
  4. 4. The Snow Is Dancing - Jules Goetgheluck
  5. 5. The Little Shepherd - Jules Goetgheluck
  6. 6. Golliwoggs Cakewalk - Jules Goetgheluck
  7. I: En Bateau - Jean Martinon
  8. II: Cortege - Jean Martinon
  9. III: Menuet - Jean Martinon
  10. IV: Ballet - Jean Martinon
  11. I: Danse Sacree - Marie-Claire Jamet
  12. II: Danse Profane - Marie-Claire Jamet
  13. I: Le Magasin De Jouets - Jean Martinon
  14. II: Le Champ De Bataille - Jean Martinon
  15. III: La Bergerie A Vendre - Jean Martinon
  16. IV: Apres Fortune Faite - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

  1. I: Andante - Allegro - Aldo Ciccolini
  2. II: Lento E Molto Espressivo - Aldo Ciccolini
  3. III: Allegro Molto - Aldo Ciccolini
  4. La Plus Que Lente - John Leach
  5. Premiere Rapsodie Pour Orchestre Avec Clarinette Principale - Guy Dangain
  6. Rapsodie Pour Orchestre Et Saxophone Solo - Jean-Marie Loneix
  7. Khamma - Fabienne Boury
  8. Danse: Tarantelle Styrienne - Jean Martinon

Tracks:

  1. Bolero - Marcel Galiegue
  2. Une Barque Sur L'Ocean (Miroirs: No.3) - Orchestre De Paris
  3. Prelude - Orchestre De Paris
  4. Premier Tableau: Danse Du Rouet Et Scene - Orchestre De Paris
  5. Deuxieme Tableau: Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant - Orchestre De Paris
  6. Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
  7. Troisieme Tableau: Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete - Orchestre De Paris
  8. Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
  9. Quatrieme Tableau: Petit Poucet - Orchestre De Paris
  10. Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
  11. Cinquieme Tableau: Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes - Orchestre De Paris
  12. Interlude - Orchestre De Paris
  13. Sixieme Tableau: Le Jardin Feerique - Orchestre De Paris
  14. Alborada Del Gracioso (Miroirs: No.4) - Andre Sennedat
  15. I: Prelude A La Nuit - Orchestre De Paris
  16. II: Malaguena - Orchestre De Paris
  17. III: Habanera - Orchestre De Paris
  18. IV: Feria - Orchestre De Paris

Tracks:

  1. Sheherazade: Ouverture De Feerie - Orchestre De Paris
  2. La Valse (Poeme Choregraphique) - Orchestre De Paris
  3. I: Prelude - Orchestre De Paris
  4. II: Forlane - Orchestre De Paris
  5. III: Menuet - Orchestre De Paris
  6. IV: Rigaudon - Orchestre De Paris
  7. Menuet Antique - Orchestre De Paris
  8. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte - Michel Garcin-Marrou
  9. 1. Modere - Orchestre De Paris
  10. 2. Assez Lent - Orchestre De Paris
  11. 3. Modere - Orchestre De Paris
  12. 4. Assez Anime - Orchestre De Paris
  13. 5. Presque Lent - Orchestre De Paris
  14. 6. Assez Vif - Orchestre De Paris
  15. 7. Moins Vif - Orchestre De Paris
  16. 8. Epilogue: Lent - Orchestre De Paris

Tracks:

  1. Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  2. Danse Religieuse - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  3. Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  4. Danse Generale - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  5. Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  6. Danse Grotesque De Dorcon - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  7. Danse Legere Et Gracieuse De Daphnis - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  8. Scene - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  9. Nocturne - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  10. Danse Lente Et Mysterieuse Des Nymphes - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  11. Interlude - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  12. Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  13. Danses Guerrieres Et Diverses - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  14. Danse Suppliante De Chloe - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  15. Introduction - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  16. Lever Du Jour - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  17. Pantomime - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera
  18. Danse Generale - Bacchanale - Choeurs Du Theatre National De L'Opera

Tracks:

  1. Lento - Aldo Ciccolini
  2. Piu Lento - Aldo Ciccolini
  3. Allegro - Aldo Ciccolini
  4. I: Allegramente - Jean-Claude Malgoire
  5. II: Adagio Assai - Jean-Claude Malgoire
  6. III: Presto - Jean-Claude Malgoire
  7. Lento, Quasi Cadenza - Moderato - Itzhak Perlman

Amazon.com

At long last, Jean Martinon's classic EMI Debussy and Ravel cycles from the 1970s have been gathered in a space-saving, budget-priced box set. If you love this repertoire, you'll gasp with joy at the conductor's crystal-clear orchestral balances, which truly reproduce what you see in the printed music. If you respond to a lean, sinewy approach to this repertoire in the manner of Toscanini and Boulez, but pine for the timbral characteristics that used to distinguish French orchestras (silver-coated strings, tart woodwinds, and slightly watery brass) in gorgeous, vibrant sonics, Martinon's your man. Aldo Ciccolini's crisp, diamond-edged finger work stands out in Ravel's two piano concertos and in Debussy's rarely heard Fantasie. The young Itzhak Perlman's dazzling, effortless traversal of Ravel's Tzigane will humble many an aspiring fiddler. And you won't find a more sparkling, translucent Ravel Mother Goose Suite on record. Martinon was a marvel, and a sadly underrated podium giant. Grab this set while you can. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars The only set you need.......2006-01-13

After owning dozens of Debussy, Ravel recordings, all I can say is ,
if you have this set, no need to look further.
My Ingelbrecht sets are good, but Martinon is better.
Forget the Munch and Monteaux, Bernsteins, Levine, Karajan (UUCCKKKK) etc etc.

5 out of 5 stars Outstanding performances at any price.......2005-04-28

This boxed set provides a comprehensive collection of the orchestral works of both Debussy and Ravel. Jean Martinon conducts the Orchestre National de l'ORTF in the Debussy and the Orchestre de Paris in the Ravel pieces. The sound is stunning, and the performances are extraordinarily engaging. I have other sets of music by these composers (Simon and the Philharmonia Orchestra for the Debussy) Michal Tilson Thomas and the LSO as well as Boulez and the Berlin Philharmonic for some of the Ravel pieces (Boulez and the NY Phil for Daphnis and Chloe) but these other sets do not contain all the music in the 8 CDs by Martinon and his orchestras. I agree with the other reviewers who find the Debussy especially compelling. I am listening to La Mer now, and the recording captures the performance perfectly, clearly separating the horns, strings and woodwinds and providing a great balance. This is a very dramatic reading of La Mer! However, I find the Ravel performances equally inspired. The Daphnis and Chloe performance is tremendously exciting, and the ballet Ma Mere l'Oye is exquisite. When I decided to buy this set, I was looking for performances that would give me new insight into familiar works and also introduce me to some musical treats like Debussy's La Boite a Joujoux. I was not disappointed. This set is not just a bargain, it's a real treasure!

5 out of 5 stars More Evocative than some of Mahler's Symphonies.......2005-01-25

I can't exactly visualise the oils of the French impressionists when hearing these pieces. But I do know what the other reviewer is talking about and the point is well made. They are so inspiring and evocative that they touch your heart strings perhaps deeper than most of Mahler's symphonies despite Mahler's gigantic orchetrations! The recorded sound is excellent: and the conductor is obviously gifted and the orchestra is just beautiful despite the fact that I am no big fan of either Ciccolini or Perlman. Believe it or not, in Hong Kong HK Records and HMV are selling the boxset at about 60% of the listed price in US: a real bargain. Grap it while it is still available, particularly those who live in HK.

5 out of 5 stars One stop shopping! Unparalleled Debussy, and excellent Ravel.......2004-11-21

I've treasured both of these cycles since the 1970s when both appeared in single LP installements, each one eagerly awaited with deserved anticipation. To get them both in outstanding remasterings in a bargain priced box set is almost unthinkable. I'd pay twice the price, even more, if I had to for these recordings.

Other recordings of individual works may excel these, like Karajan's La Mer, or Monteux's Daphnis, Haitink's Nocturnes, and so on. But when listened to in such consistent interpretations as these from Jean Martinon, the works as a whole take on a different dimension. Each work is like a chapter in a novel, and they all weave together to make a very satisfying experience that is quite different than one gets with just the individual compositions.

That is especially true of the Debussy.

Two different Orchestras are represented. The Debussy are performed by the French National Orchestra, the Ravel by the more well known Orchestre De Paris, an orchestra that made recordings in those days with such notables as Kerbert von Karajan and Seiji Ozawa. The Debussy, though is actually better executed. The ensemble is tighter, the string tone more sumptuous.

The Debussy has no competition for completeness. No other conductor has traversed the entire orchestral output with the thoroughness that Martinon has. Boulez is probably the closest available. I think very highly of the Boulez recordings, especially the newer ones for DG. But the interpretations lack the unity and consistency that Martinon maintains throughout the cycle.

There is more competition with the Ravel, though. When issued, the cycle was met equally by an excellent set from the Minnesota Orchestra under Stanislaw Skrowaczewski, which came in a box at a lower price. Again, Martinon won my heart for his consistency. The Skrowaczewski was better executed by the Minnesota Orchestra than Martinon's Orchetre De Paris. The EMI sound was better, but back then the quality of the Angel LPs was terrible, so the Skrowaczewski go tthe nod for technical superiority unless you were fortunate enough to get your hands on more expensive import copies of the Martinon. There was a cycle from Ozawa on DG also, but artistically it could not match up with the other two. When CDs were introduced, along came Charles Dutoit and the Montreal SO on London/Decca. And they came with a huge splash and acclaim. I puked! and I have always puked when I hear Dutoit conduct anything, with maybe one or two exceptions. Dutoit makes Ravel sound too smooth and glossy. I do give the Decca engineers great credit for the sound (though the Daphnis gets my vote as the worst CD ever produced, being that it was 55 minutes long with no tracks or indexes!).

Now that EMI have so excellently remastered the Martinon recordings though,the choice for a complete set of the orchestral works is very clear. The experience of Martinon's unified consistent interpretations is not quite the same with Ravel as it is with Debussy, partly owing to a less well formed vision from that composer than Debussy. Debussy was more rigid in his world view and musical thought throughout his life, whereas Ravel wavered in many different directions.

When you consider the price, there no reason to think twice about this set. The accompanying booklet is not extremely comprehensive, but adequate enough.

5 out of 5 stars In Debussy Martinon is unbeatble!.......2004-07-31

Jean Martinon is the last director really inmersed in the impresionist mood . His performances are deeply inspired and above all idiomatic . Marie Claire Jamet in the Sacred Dances is absolutely comitted with the elusive forms and pagan enchantment.
Martinon belonged to that hard to find status conductor who really know to engage with the composer mood . So when he played his music the results were overwhelming . He had a enormous gift to suggest . I still remind The Prokoviev seventh symphony with the Chicago Symphony and I can not get another first movement so well performed , for instance .
Back to Debussy he combines the charm and nuance with that incorporean and elusive approach that Debussy and Ravel demands . I state a parallel (if I may) between Martinon - Debussy and Beecham - Delius in what idiomatism concerns .
When Martinon performs Debussy the paintings of Matisse , Monet and Manet seem to awake and come to our mind .
The prientemps and the children 's corner are absolutely of first rate . The clarinet rhapsody is the best in the market .
In the images I prefer the Ansermet version , but the whole set is fundamental if you enjoy the orchestral music of Debussy.
Notice I have not mentioned Ravel works . I have another name in Ravel : Andre Cluytens . But this is out of context.
Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte; Ma Mère l'Oye
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Carlo Maria Giulini and the French Repertoire
 Debussy: La Mer; Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune; Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte; Ma Mère l'Oye

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

BalletsBallets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
PavanesPavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
Ravel, MauriceRavel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by DebussyAll Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Ballets & DancesBallets & Dances | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
General ContemporaryGeneral Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Classical MusicClassical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
Classical Instrumental MusicClassical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B000002AXY
Release Date: 1995-06-27

Tracks:

  1. La Mer - Three Symphonic Sketches: I. De l'aube a midi sur la mer. Tres lent
  2. La Mer - Three Symphonic Sketches: II. Jeux de vagues. Allegro
  3. La Mer - Three Symphonic Sketches: III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer. Anime et tumultueux
  4. Prelude a l'apres-midi d'un faune: Tres modere
  5. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte: Lent
  6. Ma Mere l'Oye - Five Children's Pieces: I. Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant. Lent
  7. Ma Mere l'Oye - Five Children's Pieces: II. Petit Poucet. Tres modere
  8. Ma Mere l'Oye - Five Children's Pieces: III. Laideronnette, Imperatrice des pagodes Mouvement de marche
  9. Ma Mere l'Oye - Five Children's Pieces: IV. Les Entretiens de la Belle et de la Bete Mouvement de valse modere
  10. Ma Mere l'Oye - Five Children's Pieces: V. Le Jardin feerique. Lent et grave

Amazon.com

A serviceable rendition of La Mer is followed by a sensuous, delicately colored Prelude to the afternoon of a faun. Ravel's beloved Pavane plods, but the Mother Goose music is delightfully playful and lovely. Perhaps the program's unevenness reflects the fact that it is compiled from two sessions more than four years apart--a reasonable programming decision, but not a good musical one. --David Vernier

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Carlo Maria Giulini and the French Repertoire.......2007-07-11

Carlo Maria Giulini remains a giant in the memory of performances and recordings of the great Romantic works. His Brahms, Bruckner, Mahler, Dvorak, and opera recordings are still considered definitive. But perusing the over 500 entries in the recorded catalog of his performances, the presence of works less ascribed to him impress. This recording made with the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra (recordings separated by time and studios) is a refreshingly sensitive approach to the French repertoire. He did record these works with other orchestras (the Philharmonia and London Symphony among them) and for some of the works, those recordings are superior to this one.

But for sheer elegance of sound and shaping of phrases, for the lingering over passages that are caressed by solo instruments, and for one of the most 'French' sounding interpretations, the Ravel 'Ma mère l'oye' (Mother Goose Suite) is, for this listener, the finest recording yet made. Giulini understands the poetry, the delicate humor, and the lush orchestration of Ravel as well any conductor, but he adds to that his innate sense of pacing that makes this short suite shimmer. It alone is worth finding a copy of the CD before it becomes unavailable.

The other works included are Debussy's mighty 'La Mer' (one of his less successful recorded performances of the work), a sensuous 'Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune' (Prelude to the Afternoon of a Faun), and an elegant 'Pavane pour une infante défunte'. Each is worth attention, but the real treasure here is the 'Ma mère l'oye', quite simply one of the finest recordings available. Grady Harp, July 07

Track Listings:

  1. Devreese: Symphony No.1/Poème Héroique/In Memoriam
  2. Edward Elgar: Enigma Variations, Op. 36 & Cello Concerto, Op. 85
  3. Elena Kuschnerova
  4. George Frideric Handel: Esther
  5. Gloria - An Acoustic Guitar Christmas
  6. Great Performances from the Library of Congress: Vol. 4
  7. Greatest Arias
  8. Grieg: Peer Gynt (Excerpts from the Incidental Music)
  9. Handel: Concerti Grossi Op. 3 & 6 [Import]
  10. Heavenly Voices of Children at Christmas

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Wonderful Defense Mechanisms

Dvorak: Symphony No9; Schubert: Symphony in Bm No8, D759

Braille

Very Best of Latin Jazz [Import]

The Grey Wizard Am I

Free Agent: A Space Odyssey [Import]

Come Rain Or Come Shine

Concerti for Diverse Instruments

Buenas Noches From a Lonely Room

Bossa Nova Concert [Import] [Original recording remastered] [Live]

Big Star Live [Live]

Be Yourself Tonight

Broken Silence [CD-single] [Import]

Touch

My Appreciation