Paul Paray - Paray Conducts Chabrier & Roussel (1957-1960) [2004 SACD]

This SACD encapsulates pure joy, both in the music of Chabrier and its performances here.
The recordings taped between March 1957 and November 1959 in three different venues are quite remarkable in their vividness. The clarity of the sound and the attack and energy exhibited by the Detroit Symphony under Paul Paray are truly astounding in these thrilling performances. Though not major works, all the pieces are beautifully crafted and orchestrated (the Bourrée Fantasque is given in the orchestration by Felix Mottl).
The short Suite in F by Roussel makes an excellent, if stylistically different, filler and is equally impressive in both sound and performance.
Listening to this SACD is the aural equivalent of taking a good tonic or a glass of single malt whisky – it makes you feel rejuvenated!

Tracks:

1. España, rhapsody for orchestra, also arranged for 2 pianos
2. Suite pastorale, for orchestra: 1. Idylle
3. Suite pastorale, for orchestra: 2. Danse villageoise
4. Suite pastorale, for orchestra: 3. Sous bois
5. Suite pastorale, for orchestra: 4. Scherzo - Valse
6. Le roi malgré lui, opéra-comique in 3 acts: Fête Polonaise
7. Gwendoline, opera in 2 acts: Overture
8. Le roi malgré lui, opéra-comique in 3 acts: Danse Slave
9. Joyeuse marche (Marche française), for orchestra or piano, 4 hands
10. Bourrée fantasque, for piano (also for orchestra)
11. Suite for orchestra in F major, Op. 33: 1. Prelude
12. Suite for orchestra in F major, Op. 33: 2. Sarabande
13. Suite for orchestra in F major, Op. 33: 3. Gigue

Personnel:

Detroit Symphony Orchestra
Paul Paray