Topic: Poulenc, Debussy, Ravel and Fauré: Chamber Music, Piano Music and Songs

[bwv 1080]

My two favorites





big contrast between Grumiaux and Borodin on the Debussy Sonatas - The Borodin is a very impassioned, romantic take whereas AG is restrained & much cooler or classical

[Herman]

Finally reaquired the QI/Philips cd in the original red tray and cheesy red/leaf cover.

originally this was a vinyl LP, the cd you're talking about is just the nth iteration of this recording.

Ahhhh,....it's like the cornerstone of the Library. I really just wanted the jewel case, but I listened anyhow,... and wow, such nice, tight readings. Is it the best single cd of all time?

I don't think so. I used to like the Italiano Debussy / Ravel a lot, and I have played it many many times, but I think it has become a historical record, meaning it doesn't feel like a reflection of what these pieces can mean to us anymore. The Italiano opts for a rather detached and philosophical look at these pieces, whereas they are more characterful and passionate.

[snyprrr]

I think it has become a historical record,

The Italiano opts for a rather detached and philosophical look at these pieces, whereas they are more characterful and passionate.

Who are you liking? I also have the Julliard (w/Dutilleux/SONY), which I can't complain about, and the New Hungarian on Vox (which I haven't listened to lately,...timings are pretty quick, though,...will have to check).

but, yea, I just like the QI for the warm fuzzy, "historical" feeling I get,.... kinda like a big slab of lasagna on a rainy day!

[Herman]

For the Fauré (and the Ravel) I like the Ebene Quartet a lot. For the Debussy the live Ysaye (Wigmore Hall).

[Mirror Image]

I recently bought these...

Does anyone have any comments about these recordings? The audio samples sounded fantastic.

[snyprrr]

I recently bought these...

Does anyone have any comments about these recordings? The audio samples sounded fantastic.

Aren't they the standard?

[Herman]

Aren't they the standard?

They are the digital standard; of course there were standard recordings before the eighties like the chamber music cycle by Jean Hubeau et al on Erato, and the EMI box.

[Leon]

I recently bought these...

Does anyone have any comments about these recordings? The audio samples sounded fantastic.

I have the Domus on Faure and the Melos on Debussy and love them both.  I have the Florestan on Brahms and love that, so I would assume this recording would be very good as well.  Looks like you have some wonderful listening in your future;  enjoy!

[RJR]

I'll match you with the Loewenguth/Vox (with the best Roussel SQ) as the most unbeatablely reliable Faure.

I have that copy too.

[RJR]

What are your favourite records?

Mine would be:


Ravel – Ysa˙e
Fauré (opus 121) – Via Nova
Debussy – Juilliard (Testament)

For the Debussy Quartet, there are too many fun recordings –  Italliano; Tokyo; Orlando. Maybe even The Capet and the Talich. I like the energy and colour of that early Juiliard recording tremendoously.

And some of those groups did good versions of the Ravel too.

For Fauré Op 121, the great recordings seem harder to find. Via Nova seem streets ahead of all others I know for colour, drama, sweetness of tone, balance.

It's ravissante. A beautiful French word to describe beautiful French music.

[RJR]

I'd really like to hear this one. Mullova's Debussy violin sonata with Anderszewski (on Philips) is superb.

Mullova's Ravel as well. Might be on another CD, coupled with the Debussy.

[George]

I have the Domus on Faure and the Melos on Debussy and love them both.

The Melos is lovely. 

[snyprrr]

I'll match you with the Loewenguth/Vox (with the best Roussel SQ) as the most unbeatablely reliable Faure.

I have that copy too.

Yes. Yes. Check out Loewenguth performing Roger-Ducasse SQ No.2 (Mandala) to Complete the Triangle.

[snyprrr]

One recording that needs to be mentioned is the Domus recordings of the two Faure Quintets.  Beautiful pieces, very sensitively played.  Sonics are bit trebly for my taste but still high quality.

I recently bought these...

Does anyone have any comments about these recordings? The audio samples sounded fantastic.

I have the Domus on Faure and the Melos on Debussy and love them both.  I have the Florestan on Brahms and love that, so I would assume this recording would be very good as well.  Looks like you have some wonderful listening in your future;  enjoy!

Are we still going with Domus/Hyperion in the Faure Quintets, or perhaps is the new Naxos to be 'sonically' preferred? I notice the comment of a wee bit of treble in the Domus recordings. The Naxos got an equal rewiew to the Domus, by J. Scott Morrison.

I did end up choosing the Nash over Domus in the Piano Quartets.


Herman, have you found a suitable Faure Piano Trio yet?

[DavidW]

MI, I wasn't around here when you bought those, but the first three are some of my absolute favorite recordings.  Did you enjoy them?

[Mandryka]

I wonder if the Fauré op121 quartet here, with the Pro Arte Quartet on a Biddulph release,   is special and interesting? I'm especially interested in that one because fine recordings are rarer than with the Debussy and the Ravel.  Has anyone here heard it?



Also, any recommendations for the second Fauré  violin sonata? The only one I have is with Boffard and Mutter.

[Mandryka]

Yes, that Trio Wanderer disc of Faure's piano quartets has been on my 'to buy' list for a couple of months.  I should pull the trigger soon.

Did you? And . . 

Their Haydn is not at all bad, I think. But it didn't bowl me over enough to make another purchase on a whim.

I'd also be very interested to know if anyone likes/doesn't their Ravel Trio CD

[Mandryka]

Ravel
. . .  From excerpts I've heard on radio new young French Trio Dali on Fuga Libera sounds superb, French critics are going silly over it.

Did you ever  check this out?

[Mirror Image]

Are we still going with Domus/Hyperion in the Faure Quintets, or perhaps is the new Naxos to be 'sonically' preferred? I notice the comment of a wee bit of treble in the Domus recordings. The Naxos got an equal rewiew to the Domus, by J. Scott Morrison.

I did end up choosing the Nash over Domus in the Piano Quartets.

The Nash Ensemble are one of my favorite chamber groups. I'll checkout their Faure recordings.

Speaking of the Nash Ensemble, this 2-CD set on Virgin Classics of Ravel and Debussy chamber music has brought me a lot of joy:

[SonicMan46]

Boy, I've owned a lot of chamber music of these composers for years and not even part of this thread until now, but just to respond to MI's request concerning the 4 discs he asked about, I just own the one w/ the Florestan Trio - for the Faure Piano Quartets - the Nash Ensemble & for his Piano Quintets - Quintetto di Roma + Ortiz w/ the Fine Arts Quartet.