Debussy: Orchestral Music (Incls Danse sacree et danse profane & Jeux)

"This Eloquence release makes for a delightful Debussy collection, excellently performed."
(MusicWeb June 2006)

This collection of orchestral works - more profane than sacred! - collects together a series of rare recordings, some appearing for the first time on CD. One such is Eduard van Beinum's recording of the Danse sacrée et danse profane with the Concertgebouw's harpist Phia Berghout. Recorded in 1952, it was originally released on a Decca EP, coupled with Ravel's Introduction et Allegro (now reissued on Decca Eloquence 476 8458). Likewise, the beautifully graded Marche ecossaise makes a first-time appearance, and Monteux's 1963 excerpts from Le Martyre is restored to the catalogue. George Pieterson, another Concertgebouw principal is the athletic clarinet soloist in the Première Rapsodie, and the collection concludes with the tennis-game-turned-ménage-à-trois Jeux, in Haitink's award-winning recording.

'all Haitink's Debussy is notable for his location of rhythm, and its buoyant and precise articulation ... Haitink's Jeux... is possessed of a near miraculous precision, definition and delicacy. I know of no other account where Debussy's large orchestra so resembles a fine tuned, perfectly balanced chamber ensemble; or where the ''orchestral banter'' (Messiaen's description) is as vivid and variegated' Gramophone

'There is a vivid yet refined feeling for colour which is carried through into the orchestral sections of Le Martyre. The delicacy of Debussy's exquisite scoring is marvellously balanced by Monteux and he never lets the music become static' Penguin Guide