MDR Radio Choir, Leipzig, Lyon National Orchestra, Jun Märkl - Debussy: Nocturnes - Clair de lune - Pelléas et Mélisande-symphonie (2014) [Hi-Res]

Debussy’s orchestral works are much loved for their exquisite orchestrations, poetically nuanced harmonies and almost magical evocations of time and place.

He achieved his first significant success in 1900 with Nocturnes, which portrays in three movements clouds reflected in the sea, holiday festivals in the Bois de Boulogne and the fatally seductive song of the Sirens.

The Pelléas et Mélisande Symphony was derived by Marius Constant from the orchestral episodes of Debussy’s famous opera, while the Trois Études are heard in a revealing orchestration of the piano originals by the contemporary Swiss composer, Michael Jarrell.

“…the outstanding performance of the three Nocturnes… is the high-point of the whole collection. …'Nuages', is supremely evocative with refined strings and a cor anglais solo that stands out in the terracing of textures. 'Fêtes' is richly seductive… The passage where one hears a procession from afar on muted trumpets is wonderfully achieved... 'Sirènes', brings a vital contribution from the Leipzig choir... Their chording and ensemble is flawless. A richly satisfying collection, immaculately recorded, with its full measure of rarities.” (Gramophone)

Orchestre National de Lyon
Leipzig MDR Radio Choir
Jun Märkl, conductor

Recorded at the Auditorium de Lyons, France, 15-20 July 2007 (tracks 3-4), 15-19 January 2008 (tracks 1-2, 6-9) and 11-12 February 2008 (track 5)
Produced and engineered by Tim Handley
Remastered by René Laflamme, 2xHD Mastering