Lalo, Charbrier: Orchestral Works


Lalo, Charbrier: Orchestral Works
Ernest Ansermet
Label
Decca
Catalogue No.
4800049
Barcode
00028948000494
Format
2-CD
About

It used to be fashionable to include the music of Lalo in concert in the mid-20th century. At the start of the 21st century, however, his works has fallen completely into neglect, in France as much as elsewhere. This is a cruel injustice for music full of sensuality and very highly inspired, quality orchestration. This unique 2CD collection brings together all of Ansermet’s Lalo recordings for Decca, including a fiery account of the ‘Symphonie espagnole’ with Ruggiero Ricci as well as the much-praised stereo Chabrier recordings which first appeared on a delightful Decca CD in its ‘Classic Sound’ series. The Lalo recordings were made at various times during the composer’s long tenure with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, starting in March 1959 with the ‘Symphonie espagnole’ and ending with the little ‘Scherzo’ in September 1968, during his last Decca session with his Swiss orchestra.

And ‘classic sound’ is as much an epithet for the Chabrier recordings as they are for the Lalo. While so many current Chabrier recordings are notable for their élan and elegance, Ansermet emphasises the works’ earthy, comic side with a just a hint of oafishness – all reflecting the conductor’s brotherly affection for his dear Chabrier, after whom he named his country house ‘Le Chabrière’. The collection also includes the rare ‘Habañera’. Ansermet’s 1955 recording of this piece was made in both mono and stereo and the stereo version is published for the very first time as part of this anthology.

TRACK LISTING / ARTISTS

EDOUARD LALO
Symphonie espagnole*
Namouna
Andantino
Scherzo
Rapsodie norvégienne
Le roi d’Ys: Overture

EMMANUEL CHABRIER
Habañera
España
Suite Pastorale
Joyeuse marche
Le roi malgré lui

Ruggiero Ricci, violin*
L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Ernest Ansermet