L'Homme et son désir, based on an incomprehensible scenario by Paul Claudel, is a magical, marvelous piece scored for solo strings, harp, a handful of winds and brass, tons of percussion, and four wordless vocalists. It was one of the pieces that made Milhaud's reputation in the early decades of the 20th century, but (perhaps due to the odd forces required) it seems to have vanished since. The music contains haunting modal melodies, passages of biting polytonality, sensuous contributions from the soloists, and it all adds up to an unforgettable experience. Casadesus turns in an expert performance, and if the vocal contributions aren't uniformly on the same high level as the instrumental (tenor Mathias Vidal sounds like he's gargling), it's not the kind of work where beauty of tone is a paramount consideration. Atmosphere is what counts, and that you can hear in abundance.

So while this or that performance may not be absolutely perfect, the disc as a whole makes an ideal introduction to some of Milhaud's best work. It also makes an eloquent case for a revaluation of this prolific and neglected figure, and it would grace any serious record collection. At the Naxos budget price, you really should give this a listen. It's a delight. [07/18/2005]