[ Mercury Living Presence / 5 CD ]
Release Date: Friday 5 November 2004
This item is only available to us via Special Order. We should be able to get it to you in 3 - 6 weeks from when you order it.
"Paul Paray's style of conducting has virtually vanished today: it represents what is often referred to as the 'French style of conducting': clear, elegant, superbly balanced and – what will instantly strike listeners – often very fast. This repertoire shows the conductor at his best and includes many of his most famous recordings. The recordings are brilliant in the Mercury manner and theirfamous vividness remains striking.”
- Rosette Recording Penguin Stereo Guide
The Mercury Living Presence recordings have acquired legendary status and have been much sought-after by audiophiles and "ordinary" listeners alike for their outstanding sound quality and roster of famous artists in both core repertory and less well-known music. As well as a wide variety of Central European music, Mercury Living Presence achieved distinction for the wealth of American music that appeared on the label.
This set is one of the first in a group of releases that makes these justly celebrated recordings available as box sets arranged by cycles of repertory or collections of music under the musical direction of one of the famous names linked with Mercury Living Presence.
This set presents a varied selection of French orchestral masterpieces — as well as a few rarities — under the direction of Paul Paray. One of the highlights of the set is the acclaimed recording of Saint-Saëns' "Organ" Symphony with the legendary Marcel Dupré as soloist.
CD 1
Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3 in C minor "Organ"
Paray: Mass for the 500th Anniversary of the Death of Joan of Arc
Paul Paray: Post-session thanks to the performers
CD 2
Lalo:
Le Roi d'Ys - Overture
Namouna - Suite No.1
Barraud:
Offrande à une ombre
Chausson:
Symphony in B flat major
CD 3
Ibert:
Escales
Ravel:
Rapsodie espagnole
Alborada del gracioso
Pavane pour une infante défunte
La Valse
Le Tombeau de Couperin
CD 4
Bizet:
La Patrie - Overture
Carmen - Suite
L'Arlésienne Suite No.1
L'Arlésienne Suite No.2
Thomas:
Mignon - Overture
Raymond - Overture
CD 5
Hérold:
Zampa - Overture
Auber:
The Crown Diamonds - Overture
Gounod:
Faust - Ballet music
Saint-Saëns:
Samson et Dalila - Bacchanale
Bizet:
Carmen - Danse Bohème
Berlioz:
The Trojans - Royal Hunt and Storm
Massenet:
Phèdre - Overture
Thomas: Mignon - Gavotte