Search - Patrick Davin, Marie-Paule Fayt, Rheinland-Pfalz Philharmonic :: Florent Schmitt: The Tragedy of Salome - Ballet in Seven Scenes (Complete Version, 1907) - Rheinland-Pfalz Philharmonic

Wonderful interpretation of Florent Schmitt's ballet

Luis Federico Sala | Rosario, Argentina | 11/09/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is very difficult to find out a recording of Florent Schmitt's ballet: La tragedié de Salomé. The present version is so emotive, that the interest of the listener increases through all the play. The climax of the play was reached by the performers with such emotion, who reminded to whom is writting this review the first time he saw the ballet at the Teatro Colon of Buenos Aires interpreted by Norma Fontenla on 1971, a wonderful first ballerina who died tragically on a plain crash. Congratulations to the Recording Company who allow people to enjoy this kind of music."

Better alternatives elsewhere

Mark G McCue | Denver, CO United States | 04/23/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"While I admire and appreciate so much of Marco Polo's work in bringing new and/or forgotten works to us, this isn't among the best releases.The competing Paray, of course, and to a lesser-extent, the Martinon leave this Teutonic, provincial effort in the shade. It's not bad, but viewed in light of it costing $2.00 more than the Paray, it questions the need of a relase like this. While the ensemble is not exactly a scrub team and the maestro far from a hack, they lurch and lunge, swoon and surge in a chocolate ganache that bespeaks Franz Schmitt's Ringstrasse (and excellent) symphonies and not the Gallic effervesence essential to the presentation of the Alsatian Florent Schmitt. As a routine Sunday afternoon presentation, this would suffice, but to perpetuate it on CD begs some analysis of purpose. On top of this, the bathos of the notes do a type of injustice to the composer that is remniscent of bad "music appreciation" courses that have gone too far beyond the considerations they attempt to handle.Nonpareil is Paray, but don't pass us the beauties of the Martinon in quest to add this outstanding dance work to your recorded collection. In the meantime, I'd suggest Marco Polo redirect the explorations of the performers."

Excellent score!!

Suddh | Canada | 04/04/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is the first, and to my knowledge, the ONLY recording of the 1907 ballet score Schmitt composed for a chamber orchestra: comparison with other recordings of "La Tragédie de Salomé" are beside the point, as the score Martinon, Paray, Almeida and others recorded is that of the symphonic poem Schmitt prepared from the ballet score, four years later. While the more familiar symphonic poem for full orchestra lasts around 27 minutes, the complete ballet for a smaller group of players lasts nearly an hour. What we get here, then, is some wonderful music that had never been recorded before, performed with commitment and infectious enthusiasm. While I do love the symphonic poem, I confess I prefer this ballet score, which loses nothing in opulence or energy for being written for a smaller orchestra. The only points of reservation are the less-than-seductive soprano solo and, only occasionally, less than secure string playing. But that should not deter the curious from acquainting themselves with this fascinating score: it deserves to be far more popular than it is!!"