The Boston Symphony Chamber Players made a few critically-acclaimed recordings for Deutsche Grammophon in the 1970s, among them the Second Viennese School’s reworkings of Strauss waltzes. Drawn from players of the Boston Symphony, with Michael Tilson Thomas as pianist (here in the two string sonatas) the playing is febrile, alert and atmospheric. This collection brings together all the major chamber works Debussy wrote, apart from the String Quartet and includes an especially luminous chamber transcription by Benno Sachs, itself the subject of a comprehensive dissertation in the booklet. Previously released as part of DG’s ‘Galleria’ series, the recording now reappears on Eloquence at budget price.
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
(Transcription for 2 violins, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, antique cymbals, piano & harmonium by Benno Sachs)
Benno Sachs, violin I
Max Hobart, violin II
Burton Fine, viola
Jules Eskin, cello
Edwin Baker, double bass
Doriot Anthony Dwyer, flute
Ralph Gomberg, oboe
Harold Wright, clarinet
Everett Firth & Frank Epstein, antique cymbals
Gilbert Kalish, piano
Jerome Rosen, harmonium
Sonata for Violin & Piano
Joseph Silverstein, violin
Michael Tilson Thomas, piano
Sonata for Cello & Piano
Jules Eskin, cello
Michael Tilson Thomas, piano
Sonata for Flute, Viola & Harp
Doriot Anthony Dwyer, flute
Burton Fine, violo
Ann Hobson, harp
Syrinx for flute solo
Doriot Anthony Dwyer, flute
Boston Symphony Chamber Players
Recording: Boston, Symphony Hall, 1 – 3/1970 & 10/1977 (Prélude)
Executive Producer: Karl Faust; Rainer Brock (Prélude)
Recording Producer: Rainer Brock
Tonmeister (Balance Engineer): Günter Hernanns; Klaus Hiemann (Prélude)
Editing: Reinhild Schmidt (Prélude)
‘Performed with precision, delicacy and exquisite sensitivity’ Limelight
‘Remarkably transparent [Prélude] … an attractive collection’ Penguin Guide to CDs
‘Excellent performances … virtually irresistible’ ClassicsToday.com
‘The playing comes close to perfection’ Fanfare