Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra & Herve Niquet - Chabrier: España - Fête polonaise - Joyeuse marche (2000/2014) [Hi-Res]

„It seems that every Chabrier collection differs slightly in one or two details, and this excellent offering is no exception. The Bourrée fantasque, which wasn't orchestrated by Chabrier in any case, is omitted, but in exchange we get an extremely rare and very beautiful Lamento for English horn and orchestra. Conductor Hervé Niquet and his Monte Carlo orchestra know this music well and play it with real affection, style, and sparkle. Right from the opening bars of España, you can tell that this is going to be a delightful recording: perfect tempo, excellent orchestral balances (the all-important harp clearly audible yet not artificially close), and the kind of rhythmic swagger that spells confidence without a hint of bombast. Next to Niquet and Co., Gardiner's Vienna recording for Deutsche Grammophon, highly praised in some quarters, sounds tight-fisted and grim. Chabrier is a much more important composer than many people realize. Mahler, who was a big fan, called España 'the origin of modern music.' This inexpensive disc offers a perfect opportunity to discover what he meant.“ (David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday)

„A very well-recorded programme on Naxos, played with considerable idiomatic flair…the rumbustious pieces have plenty of sparkle and España does not lack gusto.“ (The Penguin Guide)

'Like Gardiner or Minkovski, Herv‚ Niquet, the excellent musical director in the Concert Spirituel, finds himself perfectly with at ease in the music of Chabrier, the father of musical impressionism.' (Benoit Duteurtre, Virgin Megapresse)

Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
Hervé Niquet, conductor

Recorded at the Auditorium of the Centre de Congrès, Monte-Carlo, on the 21st and from 23rd to 26th June, 1997
Produced by Paul Myers
Engineered by Andrew Groves
Remastered by René Laflamme, 2xHD Mastering