Search - Ernest Chausson, Jerome Kaltenbach, Orchestre Symphonique et Lyrique de Nancy :: Chausson: Symphony in B flat major; Poème; Viviane

Not a top class recording but still pretty good

G.D. | Norway | 12/05/2009

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Ernest Chausson's symphony is, like Paul Dukas's, perhaps, one of those works that still retain a well-deserved place at the fringes of the repertoire. It is perhaps not quite as good as Franck's, nor quite as striking as his own masterpiece Poème de l'amour et de la mer, but still a thoroughly impressive and memorable work. The style is late romantic and not at all impressionistic, but displays some of the same fascination with colors as the latter with subtle shifts from lights to half-lights and flickering shadows. Franck's music is certainly all over the place in the symphony (including cyclic treatment of the themes), and there are strong reminiscences of d'Indy, both in the formal arguments and in the harmonies, but Chausson's work couldn't really be mistaken for either.



Cast in three movements, the brooding opening of the first gives way to a solemn theme and builds up to a darkly sorrowful climax and a quite marvelous transformation into a light Allegro vivo. The second subject is more relaxed but harmonically inventive, and - rather abruptly - turns to anguish, back to the Allegro vivo theme and a majestic close. The second movement is beautifully songful, built around two subjects, a darkly pensive one and a more light-hearted second subject. The third movement is perhaps the finest; a rondo with an epilogue, starting out with high drama (inventively scored), contrasted with a chorale and building to a marvelous close drawing on thematic fragments frm the first movement.



Poeme is of course Chausson's most famous work; it is inferior to the symphony but does at least contain strikingly memorable themes. The solo playing here is very good - Korcia is particularly sensitive to the play of tonal colors and the performance seems to take on more of a mysterious sheen than other performances I have heard. The early `Viviane' (Chausson came relatively late to composition) is also a fascinating work, conjuring up the atmosphere of legend and fairytale in a very romantic, passionate work. It is not a masterpiece, but very well worth hearing



The performances are generally very good, especially with respect to conjuring up the array of colors and shadows. On the other hand I do think Kaltenbach lets some of the movements linger a little too much - overall, I could imagine more fire and momentum in all the works (they are, after all, up against Monteux and Plasson, for instance). The sound is realistic and with good perspective, but a little subdued. All in all, a very much recommended recording - I don't think many of those who go for this one rather than the alternatives will be disappointed, but it still doesn't quite make it to the top of the list either."

Can't win 'em all

John Grabowski | USA | 10/22/2009

(2 out of 5 stars)

"I've been on a CD-buying spree lately and this is the only one in the bunch that has disappointed. The performance is leaden and without much energy, and even a bit sloppy. Textures are somewhat thin, which isn't good for French music of this era. The Symphony is played with more life and color and joie de la vie on Erato's recording with the Basler Symphony Orchestra under the always-reliable Armin Jordan. The sound is better too. Apparently this disc has recently been reissued on a label called Apex: http://www.amazon.com/Chausson-Symphony-Op-20-Viviane-Op-5/dp/B00007KI1A/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1256173884&sr=1-2 This is a good thing, for this is a good recording. You also can do better with Janowski and L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, although it's paired with the Franck symphony in D minor, never one of my favorites. As for this disc, it exemplifies what's wrong with Naxos. I do respect the label, and compared to most corporate classical label chiefs he's an angel. But his use of anonymous orchestras and no-name conductors, and his refusal to rerecord something once he's issued it means the company's catalog has a lot of lows as well as many highs. Can't recommend this one, I'm afraid."

Well performed Chausson works

R. Rockwell | Brooklyn, NY USA | 01/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Chausson's symphony arrived at the time when French or at least Parisian audiences were beginning to support and enjoy what would become a French symphonic tradition.

With an orchestra requiring in addition to strings, triple woodwinds, four horns, trombones, trumpets timpani, percussion and two harps. The symphony is one of deep contrasts between moments of dramatic intensity and moments of tranquil calmness both of which are quite beautiful.

Chausson's interest in literature is demonstrated in the Poem for violin and orchestra and Viviane a symphonic poem based on a legend of the round table. The Poem is not a concerto which Ysaye the person who premiered the work originally wanted but 16 minutes of dreamy tenderness in which Debussy found moments of originality. I have not heard any other version but I cannot imagine that the French orchestra and Laurent Korcia could be bettered.

The Viviane was Chasson's first orchestral work but is interesting when Viviane's uses of magic against Merlin and it's evocation of the forest.

As usual Naxos notes are quite helpful in explaining these works.







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