[F]rom the standpoint of ravishing tone and orchestral balance, these performances are on the highest level... The highly polished "Fêtes" is a miracle of orchestral detail, and it's not all engineering. I certainly wouldn't recommend Maazel's slow tempo in "Sirènes" to any less accomplished conductor... [In Jeux] Maazel is one of the conductors who emphasizes the music's sensuous orchestration rather than trying to "tighten" it up, like Ansermet or Boulez... [T]he performance is wonderful...
-- James Miller, FANFARE
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...Maazel and the [Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra] are a panacea, a timely reassurance that all's rightRead more in the world of music. Conductor and orchestra consider every detail and make it their own, and the playing itself is beyond compare...
Jeuxby Claude Debussy Conductor:
Lorin Maazel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century Written: 1912-1913; France Date of Recording: 01/1999 Venue: Live Musikverein, Vienna, Austria Length: 18 Minutes 26 Secs.
2.
La merby Claude Debussy Conductor:
Lorin Maazel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Period: 20th Century Written: 1903-1905; France Date of Recording: 01/1999 Venue: Live Musikverein, Vienna, Austria Length: 23 Minutes 59 Secs.
3.
Nocturnes (3) for Orchestraby Claude Debussy Conductor:
Lorin Maazel
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra,
Arnold Schoenberg Choir
Period: Romantic Written: 1897-1899; France Date of Recording: 01/1999 Venue: Musikverein, Vienna, Austria Length: 24 Minutes 31 Secs.
Customer Reviews
Average Customer Review: ( 1 Customer Review )
Who says the Vienna Phil. Can only play Germanic August 15, 2014By Barron S Hampton B. See All My Reviews"This is a splendid recording, and like the Ravel discs Mr. Maazel and the VPO did for RCA, the sound is gloriously transparent and spacious. The perfection of the VPO's largest instrument (the Musikverein) is stunningly reproduced here. The performance of these French masterworks is so clean and agile, with the limpid textures, layered sounds, and shimmering colors all beautifully done. A great orchestra, even one so steeped in the Germanic tradition, like the VPO, can do marvels with this music. They come to it, perhaps, with a freshness, and Maazel lets them indulge in this glorious music. I only wish the Prelude d'pres midi d'une faune were here. Don't hesitate to nab this gem."Report Abuse