Paul Dukas

[Subotnick]

I bought this disc during the week because I was curious to hear something by Dukas other than "you know what"! 



I'm thinking of following up my purchase with a (legal) download of this:



Has anyone any thoughts on this piece or about where I should go from here?

Thanks and TTFN.
Me.

[The new erato]

I have the opera Arianne et Barbebleu on my wishlist, but haven't gotten around to it yet.....

[Wanderer]

I'm not familiar with this particular recording by Claves, but Dukas' Symphonie is well worth the investment.

Highly recommended:



(click on images for musicweb reviews)

[Subotnick]

Thanks for the quick response!  I'll look into those reccomendations. I have found this version of the piano sonata to stream, which I shall do later:



The download I mentioned is only 3 credits at emusic, so I may as well go for it.

TTFN.
Me.

[val]

To me, Dukas masterpiece is the Symphony in C major, a splendid work. There is a very good interpretation of Jean Martinon with the Orchestra of the RTF.

The opera Ariane et Barbe-Bleu (Bacquier, Jordan) has magical moments, in special in the orchestration. Dukas composed another masterpiece, this time for the piano, the Variations, Interlude et Finale (very good versions, my preferred being the one of Yvonne Lefébure).

I like less La Peri or the piano Sonata.

Regarding the famous (too famous) "Apprenti sorcier", the versions of Toscanini and Markevitch are my favorite.

[Subotnick]

I have just picked up Ariane Et Barbe-Bleue, Suite No. 2 as featured on this recording:



Hopefully that will whet my appetite for the recording you reccomended wanderer, which I'm happy to say is available at emusic!  *25 Minutes Later* Well, that was impressive I must say! Looks like I'll be using some of those emusic credits...

I just got hold of this there too:



Not all the way through the first movement yet, but I'm alreading enjoying it immensely. It's a very well produced and played recording.

TTFN.
Me.

[hornteacher]

The "Villanelle" for horn is a staple of solo horn repertoire and is gorgeous.

Recordings can be found here:

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/albumList.jsp?name_id1=3254&name_role1=1&comp_id=20106&bcorder=15

[Subotnick]

Thanks hornteacher. I'll follow that link shortly. Now I've heard one rendition of the symphony, I'll have to check out your reccomendation Val.

TTFN.
Me.

[Subotnick]

Val: I have got hold of the rendition of Villanelle as featured on the above album and will give it a listen shortly because I am currently listening to this version of the piano sonata:



TTFN.
Me.

[bhodges]

Another vote for the opera, Ariane et Barbe-Bleu, which I saw at NY City Opera a few years ago (in a not-so-good production).  The score is often magical, filled with color.  Also that Piano Sonata is a formidable piece, at least in Hamelin's version. 

--Bruce

[Daverz]

This is a wonderful Dukas orchestral collection:



Yeah, I know, you probably don't need another Sorcerer's Apprentice, but the Symphony and La Peri are wonderful, with some of Telarc's best sound.

This SACD looks really interesting, but I can't find info on who conducts what.



But anything you can find conducted by Martinon you should grab.

[bassio]

I always had this admiration for Stokowski's Sorcerer's apprentice.
*Warning: Mickey mouse bias suspected* 

[Hector]

Slatkin recorded one of the finest performances of the symphony which I will buy one day as it is unlikely that I will hear the symphony broadcast/in concert in the near future.

I know nothing of his piano or other non-orchestral works.

The French 'His Masters Voice' recording looks interesting. What's the sound like? Dukas, like most French composers of this era, benefits from exceptional sound!

[Subotnick]

Thanks for the tip Hector. The Slatkin symphony is certainly one I'll be looking out for. And Daverz, that collection looks interesting. I almost bought it a few days ago but spent my money on pieces I hadn't already got. I shall still put it on my wishlist. I have Arianne but have still not heard it. I shall rectify that tomorrow.

TTFN.
Me.

[Hector]

Daverz is right about Martinon.

Fortunately, EMI are allowing a trickle of his recordings back into the catalogue.

I recommend the Berlioz double of the Symphonie Fantastique and Lelio.

[The new erato]

Martinons 2nd symphony is realy interesting. Unfortunately I've never seen it available on CD.

[ragman1970]

(click on images for musicweb reviews)

Sorry, but this is one of the worst recordings from Hamelin. No emotion in this music... dry and unimpressed!

[FredT]

I love that Lopez Coboz recording. Too bad Dukas did not write more orchestral music. What he did not destroy is magical.

[Lethevich]

I have just picked up Ariane Et Barbe-Bleue, Suite No. 2 as featured on this recording:

Hope this doesn't sound too bad - Urania is a dodgy label

[Subotnick]

Hope this doesn't sound too bad - Urania is a dodgy label

It didn't sound too bad to me, considering its vintage. The exciting performance broke through any recording defects there may be. I'll be giving it another listen shortly along with the Symphony In C.

TTFN.
Me.