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{ Rating: 4.5 out of 5 }
I've been listening to Paray's celebrated recording of Chabrier's orchestral works for over a decade, so it was time for a change. This compilation looked promising, as it presented the familiar repertoire with two important additions--the largely unknown Lament for English horn and orchestra, and the Prelude pastoral. If nothing else, I would have two rarities to add to my collection.
After a handful of listens, I have returned the Paray collection to its case. Jean-Marc Jordan's account with the Monte-Carlo Philharmonic captures the sheer joy and sensuous color of Chabrier's orchestral art. While Paray is masterful, sometimes his disc is a little abrasive and narrow; these accounts are more spacious, and at times a bit more slow, letting Chabrier's gorgeous melodies unfold. His most famous piece, Espana, is given a beautiful performance, fiery and colorful, playing up its picture postcard aspects, while highlighting its sheer originality. Yet the true masterpiece of this collection is the Suite Pastorale, based on his Scenes Pittoresques for piano. This is the best version I've ever heard; the poetry shines through in the opening "Idylle," which may be my favorite French orchestral miniature. The melody is so charming and wistful, yet it has such personality--only Chabrier could have written it. This is contrasted by the rambunctious "Danse villageoise," with its remarkable clarinet opening. A lullaby follows, the utterly captivating "Sous-bois," which is then concluded by the breathtaking "Scherzo-valse," which the orchestra plays to the hilt. A remarkable performance on every level.
The rest of the disc is just as successful, particularly as it offers some out-of-the-way repertoire. We have the two staples of most Chabrier collections, the dances from "Le Roi malgre lui," the Dance slave and the Fete Polonaise. Spot-on performances and great attention to detail; not even Offenbach could write such infectious dance tunes. Then we have the gorgeous orchestration of his famous piano miniature, "Habanera." I had only heard the piano version, and was amazed to hear it transcribed so masterfully (by Chabrier, no less); its origin is completely masked by Chabrier's skill in clothing the familiar melody in a unique orchestral garb (it almost sounds like a different piece). The famous Joyeuse marche is played with gusto, and again, is among the best versions I've heard. The two new pieces are very worth getting to know: the Lament is the odd piece out in this collection, as it is pure melody, and a little less characteristic of Chabrier; nevertheless, it's a gorgeous piece, using the English horn effectively in dialogue with the orchestra (though the piece sounds less like a lament than a gentle elegy). The Prelude pastoral is a major piece--dramatic, ambitious, and somewhat Wagnerian. The notes don't tell me much about the piece's origin, though it sounds like it could have come from an opera, as it has some affinity with his overture to Gwendolyn.
Brilliant job Naxos for issuing this wondeful compilation. My only qualm is the time: at 60'42, you could have made room for the overture to Gwendolyn (which Paray plays magnificently), the orchestration of Bouree fantastique, and/or the Larghetto for horn and orchestra (which I've never even heard). Oh well, another disc?
