CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune
Boston Symphony Orchestra Michael Tilson Thomas
String Quartet in G minor op.10
Melos Quartett
Syrinx for solo flute
Doriot Anthony Dwyer
Estampes
Sviatoslav Richter Piano
La Mer
Berlin Philharmonic Herbert von Karajan
Preludes Book I
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli
Sonata for Cello and Piano
Mstislav Rostropovich Cello Benjamin Britten Piano
Nocturnes
Boston Symphony Orchestra Claudio Abbado
DG Panorama 469-130-2
156m DDD.
Crotchet
Karajan's famous account of 'La Mer' makes stunning listening as do Tilson
Thomas' and Abbado's sensual interpretations of 'Preludes' and 'Nocturnes'
with the Boston Symphony. These three works are just a few of the sensational
quality that is available on this Panorama release. The Melos Quartet lend
their exceptional insight to the ethereal String Quartet whilst the imperious
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli plays the Preludes with fantastic vision and
integrity. It is quite unbelievable that DG have reissued such recordings
at bargain basement prices and that is even more of an incentive to buy!
Richter plays 'estampes' with passion and integrity whilst there are also
some tantalizing tidbits with Syrinx for flute and the classic Cello Sonata
with Rostropovich and Britten. The roll call of legends is quite enough to
convince any hardliner! By the way, there are notes as well! Highly recommended.
Gerald Fenech