Daniel Barenboim, Orchestre de Paris - Schoenberg: Pelleas und Melisande, Op. 5 (2017)

You may ask yourself why a 43 minute CD of an analog recording is commanding high prices used. Well, this is quite a special offering. First of all, the remastering has been produced by the estimable Georges Kadar, and the results are highly gratifying. The dynamic range is wide, textures are transparent, and the only limitation is a slight lack of presence on the part of the violins. As an interpretation, this is highly dramatic stuff. I listened to this shortly after hearing Yoel Levi's recording, and Barenboim's creation of a more hot house atmosphere was quite noticeable. The Orchestre de Paris, which did not always play well when Barenboim was their music director, here covers itself with glory. The brass and the winds in particular are highly expressive. This may not be recommendable as a first choice for this piece, but for collectors wanting to explore Pelleas in depth this should prove admirable.