Search - Georges Bizet, Claudio Abbado, London Symphony Orchestra :: Bizet: L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2; Carmen Suite

Superlative Playing of Bizet's Suites from Abbado & LSO

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 07/19/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These not-so-vintage late 1970s/early 1980s recordings of Bizet's great orchestral suites are available now on Deutsche Grammophon's latest low-priced label. There is indeed much to recommend in these recordings of Bizet's "L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2; Carmen Suite No. 1", with excellent, precise, and warm performances from the London Symphony Orchestra under a younger Claudio Abbado's baton. Most noteworthy indeed are the sterling musicianship demonstrated by the orchestra's winds and strings. Having heard other recordings of these works, it is hard to think of another that would be more preferable than these. And yet, I must express my own disappointment that Deutsche Grammophon choose not to include Bizet's "Carmen Suite No. 2". Still, I do think that there is ample superb music making present here that's worth the rather abbreviated length (less than 48 minutes) of this otherwise perfect CD.

"

Good but stingy

Rondine | Lakewood, Colorado USA | 06/22/2008

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a rather nice performance of the L'Arlesianne suites. I think it very stingy of DGG that only the first Carmen Suite was included which I hadn't realized when I bought it."

Bizet's Best Bet...

Sébastien Melmoth | Hôtel d'Alsace, PARIS | 10/17/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

".

That talented Frenchman Georges Bizet died far too young (aged 37), and therefore his oeuvre is unfortunately so small. Among the gems left us however, the two L'Arlésienne Suites and the Carmen Suite.



This is a fine disc, beginning with the Van Gogh cover art. Abbado and the LSO are great here. Ultra-rich sound.



Nice price.



Totally bonus.

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