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Discussion: Debussy: La Mer - Nézet-Séguin

Posts: 20
Page: 1 2 next

Post by pgmdir May 11, 2012 (1 of 20)
My thanks to M Dixon for his review of this disc. I really didn't need another version of La Mer, but I was equally captivated by this one. I really enjoy my two Giulini recordings, my Previn, my Reiner, and the others, but this is a lovely change of pace.

I bought this for one of the fillers, the 11 minute Kaleidoscope written by The Canadian Pierre Mercure, who studied under Boulanger and Milhaud. When I was in college, our choir performed his Cantate Pour Une Joie, a piece I can't find on any recording anywhere. I have a terrible recording of our dreadful amateurish performance, but I still love the piece. I welcomed the chance to hear something else by this composer who was killed in an auto accident quite young. I found Kaleidoscope to be delightful and I'll enjoy getting to know it better.

The Britten Sea Interludes were very fine as well.

I was quite pleased by the recording quality as well.

Post by M_Dixon May 11, 2012 (2 of 20)
Thanks! I'm glad you enjoyed this one. I focused on the La Mer for an article I wrote for an arts blog where I listened to every single recording of the piece in made in the last 12 years, and to my ears this one was the best. But you're correct when you say the other pieces are equally fantastic.

Regards,

Matt

Post by emaidel May 12, 2012 (3 of 20)
This disc was my introduction to the brilliance of Nezet-Seguin. I found each and every selection on the disc delightful, and looked forward to more works performed by this young conductor.

For the most part, I've been pleased, but his Atma recording of the Saint-Saens' "Organ" Symphony was a disappointment, not with the fabulous orchestral work, but with the organ that just isn't loud enough.

The biggest disappointment was a CD by Nezet-Seguin of "Ein Deutsches Requiem." His normally frenetic pace (certainly evidenced with his performance of "Carmen" in New York) is gone, and the result is an agonizingly slow, and rather dull, performance of one of my most beloved works.

Still, Nezet-Seguin is, and likely will continue to be, a conductor to be reckoned with.

Post by Fitzcaraldo215 May 12, 2012 (4 of 20)
emaidel said:

This disc was my introduction to the brilliance of Nezet-Seguin. I found each and every selection on the disc delightful, and looked forward to more works performed by this young conductor.

For the most part, I've been pleased, but his Atma recording of the Saint-Saens' "Organ" Symphony was a disappointment, not with the fabulous orchestral work, but with the organ that just isn't loud enough.

The biggest disappointment was a CD by Nezet-Seguin of "Ein Deutsches Requiem." His normally frenetic pace (certainly evidenced with his performance of "Carmen" in New York) is gone, and the result is an agonizingly slow, and rather dull, performance of one of my most beloved works.

Still, Nezet-Seguin is, and likely will continue to be, a conductor to be reckoned with.

I was somewhat disappointed at first by the appointment of YNS as Music Director to be here in Philly. I only knew that some considered him a rising star. But, having seen and heard him conduct several works this season, especially an amazing Mahler 6th, that has all changed for me. I am now very excited about his tenure here. Several orchestra members I know are equally excited. They absolutely love working with him.

So, I quite agree, he will be, perhaps already is, a conductor to be reckoned with. Unfortunately, we may hear him less on SACD, as there is no recording contract in place.

Post by tommwi May 12, 2012 (5 of 20)
Fitzcaraldo215 said:
... there is no recording contract in place.

Well, as far as I can read there is one now. DG has signed him (so no SACD then).

Two "reports"...

This one talks about the Rotterdam orchestra - only!
http://www.artsjournal.com/slippeddisc/2012/04/breaking-the-rotters-sign-for-dg.html

This one says also with the Philadelphia...
http://newsgroups.derkeiler.com/Archive/Rec/rec.music.classical.recordings/2012-01/msg03178.html

I'm no insider here!

/Tommy

Post by M_Dixon May 12, 2012 (6 of 20)
I liked the recording, and thought it revealed more of the inner details from the score than other recordings I heard. Much of the string work in the 2nd violins and violas that tend to get swallowed in other recordings came through on this one.
My system is clearly inferior to yours, though, so perhaps you're hearing things I'm not. I agree that the children's corner disc is delightful.

Post by emaidel May 13, 2012 (7 of 20)
Fitzcaraldo215 said:

Unfortunately, we may hear him less on SACD, as there is no recording contract in place.

From what I recall, Nezet-Seguin had three SACD's scheduled for BIS this year. To the best of my knowledge, only one - the Symphonie Fantastique - has been released so far. Let's hope the other two are still scheduled.

Post by wehecht May 13, 2012 (8 of 20)
emaidel said:

From what I recall, Nezet-Seguin had three SACD's scheduled for BIS this year. To the best of my knowledge, only one - the Symphonie Fantastique - has been released so far. Let's hope the other two are still scheduled.

There's also a disc pairing Heldenleben with the 4 last songs. The reviews here on the site are pretty representative of the mixed opinions about that one. Personally I don't think either of them captures the excitement I've heard here in Philadelphia this season. Nor do I think the Atma Bruckner discs are much to write home about. So far at least YNS seems much better "live" than on disc.

Post by pgmdir October 13, 2012 (9 of 20)
I'm listening to this this morning while catching up with stuff on my laptop... What an amazing set this is! The program is invigorating, the recording is wonderful, and this has got to be my absolute favorite La Mer, at least for the time being. And that includes my Toscanini, Ansermet, Munch, Reiner, Previn, Deneve, Gergiev, Haitink, Ormandy, Muti, Totelier, and probably some others lurking in the nooks and crannies. It's wonderful to come back to this disc! If you don't have it, you should. The Britten and Mercure pieces are fine too.

Post by hiredfox October 14, 2012 (10 of 20)
pgmdir said:

I'm listening to this this morning while catching up with stuff on my laptop... What an amazing set this is! The program is invigorating, the recording is wonderful, and this has got to be my absolute favorite La Mer, at least for the time being. And that includes my Toscanini, Ansermet, Munch, Reiner, Previn, Deneve, Gergiev, Haitink, Ormandy, Muti, Totelier, and probably some others lurking in the nooks and crannies. It's wonderful to come back to this disc! If you don't have it, you should. The Britten and Mercure pieces are fine too.

Oh no! Looks like more quantitative easing in this household. Bill says "Go Buy", I go buy!

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