Search - Albert Roussel, Neeme Järvi, Detroit Symphony Orchestra :: Roussel: Symphonies Nos. 3 & 4; Bacchus et Ariane; Sinfonietta

Trivialization of Roussel

M. De Sapio | Alexandria, VA | 08/31/2007

(1 out of 5 stars)

"This recording of Roussel's two best known symphonies is deeply unsatisfying. Neeme Jaervi's tempos are too fast (the expansive Adagio of the Third Symphony clocks in at just under eight minutes, the shortest timing I've ever seen for this movement, while the Fourth Symphony's Lento Molto sounds more like an andante). This streamlining overemphasizes the concision and brevity of Roussel's writing, robs the music of its architecture, grandeur and dignity, and makes nonsense of its kaleidoscopic color changes. There is no expressive shaping, just the feeling of a superficial run-through. The overall effect is completely to trivialize Roussel's music. In addition, the balance is too heavy on the brass and percussion, making many full orchestra passages jarringly loud. The acoustic is overly resonant, tending to blur details and inner voices.



Two suggestions for anyone seriously interested in these pieces. Go either to the recently reissued (at budget price) symphonies 2-4 on EMI with Andre' Cluytens (this is an older-sounding recording from the mid-1960's, but has been remastered). Or, if you prefer newer recordings, get the highly regarded new Naxos version of the Third Symphony (with the complete ballet BACCHUS ET ARIADNE), and couple this with the magnificent recent recording of the First and Fourth Symphonies by Christoph Eschenbach and the Orchestre de Paris on the Ondine label. But avoid this CD."