Search - Chausson, Monteux :: Symphony / Poem De L'Amour

A fine one after all these years

Mark McCue | Denver, CO USA | 07/26/2000

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For years, Monteux owned this lovely symphony. Then came Paul Paray and more light was thrown on it in a reading of unapproachable power, sweep and compositional insight, with a Detroit Symphony that was probably the world's greatest French orchestra at the time. That Mercury recording in Cozart's brilliant sound is also available for your delectation.But the superlative accomplisment of Paray doesn't exactly leave this in the shade either, and Monteux's heartfelt, earlier more Romatic view is not to be denied--his sense of power is more of the intimate kind without in any way seeming retiring. It's magnificent and communicative.Swarthout in the Poeme is a little lugubrious; there are points where we remember the chest register of her famous Carmen. But her affection for the work is undeniable and she most surely knows what she's singing ABOUT. She joins Los Angeles, Teyte, Grey and Danco as a truly great interpreters of the work, although they were all remarkably different (I've yet to find the highly-regarded accounts by Gladys Ripley and Lois Marshall. Anyone heard them?).In short, have these Monteux readings in an honored place in your collection, added to your Paray in the symphony and your selection of one of the above ladies for the Poeme."

Superb Performance of Chausson's "Symphonie in B-Flat"

John K. Adams | Columbia, SC USA | 02/08/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a welcome re-issue of Pierre Monteux's famous interpretation of this far-too-seldom heard work. All the famous hallmarks of his conducting style are displayed to full advantage, especially his wonderful rhythmic vitality and sure sense of phrase direction. The big climaxes in the "Symphonie" were over-powering and thrilling, and the San Francisco Symphony plays with wonderful clarity and balance. Even though this is a very early LP recording from the 50's the sound on the RCA Victor transfer is more than exceptional for its time. It is hard to think of a better performance of this grand work. Perhaps it will focus attention on a composer too much neglected these days. The performance of the Chausson "Poeme de l'Amour et la Mer" shows mezzo-soprano Gladys Swarthout well past her vocal prime, but what remains is her great sense of the French style and fine sensitivity to the text. Her top voice remained vibrant at the time of this recording, but the lower voice is rough, and the use of chest voice seems abit overdone. What is truly impressive is the orchestral color and warmth Monteux draws from the San Francisco Symphony. What a magnificent score this is! In sum, a must for the grand interpretation of two masterpieces from the French repertoire."