Dutilleux's Dark Dominion

[Guido]

Listening to this gorgeous piece right now ..

TOUT UN MONDE LOINTAIN...

It's an absolute beaut - one of my all time favourite works. I still adore the Rostropovich - such beauty and presence and intensity and no hint that this is maybe the hardest concerto in the semi-standard repertoire.

[DavidW]

Well you make that 2nd symphony sound real interesting James.  I might have to add it to my wish list.

[Mirror Image]

Well you make that 2nd symphony sound real interesting James.  I might have to add it to my wish list.

haydnfan I would actually opt for the box set because I have a feeling that you're going to want to hear more music than just the symphonies.

[asin]B00004YU78[/asin]

The set can be purchased around $40 from a seller, but it's worth every penny. I forgot how much I paid for this set but I think it was around $35 or so. It has become one of my most prized possessions. You also couldn't have asked for a better conductor than Tortelier who lives and breathes this music.

The original series was released as three different recordings, but the box set contains a fourth disc that wasn't originally apart of the series and it's a live recording of the masterful The Shadows of Time, which was written for 3 children's voices and orchestra.

[Mirror Image]

I heartily endorse this message.  I recently bought this set and consider it one of my more enjoyable purchases.   

I heartily endorse that message as well.

[snyprrr]

A few years ago, I was really really big on Dutilleux.

Though my initial enthusiasm hasn't entirely lasted, there are a few pieces I think will rank high in the 20th century pantheon, particularly the Second Symphony, Ainsi la nuit, the Violin Concerto and above all Timbres, Espace, Mouvement (La Nuit Etoilee).

One very pleasing thing about his work is that there really aren't any weak links in his mature output--even the quirky Diptyque: Les Citations has a lot to recommend it.

I'm comparing Slava and Munch in Metaboles. I'm having an eh Dutilleux moment. It may pass.

[Mirror Image]

I'm comparing Slava and Munch in Metaboles. I'm having an eh Dutilleux moment. It may pass.

I prefer Tortelier in Metaboles. I think his is the more intense, virtuosic performance. The audio quality is also a nice bonus.

[lescamil]

I'm a big fan of Rostropovich's Métaboles. The recording is older, but it has a clarity to it that I haven't heard matched in any other recordings I have heard of the work. It makes the piece sound more exciting and bright, despite the age of the recording.

[snyprrr]

I'm a big fan of Rostropovich's Métaboles. The recording is older, but it has a clarity to it that I haven't heard matched in any other recordings I have heard of the work. It makes the piece sound more exciting and bright, despite the age of the recording.

ok, I was just wondering,... I feel better now!

[Scarpia]

I'm comparing Slava and Munch in Metaboles. I'm having an eh Dutilleux moment. It may pass.

I'm a big fan of Rostropovich's Métaboles. The recording is older, but it has a clarity to it that I haven't heard matched in any other recordings I have heard of the work. It makes the piece sound more exciting and bright, despite the age of the recording.

Thanks for pointing out the existence of this recording.  I've never been convinced by the Tortelier recording and I am optimistic that the unique sound and style of the Orchestra de National de France is just what this music needs. 

[Mirror Image]

Thanks for pointing out the existence of this recording.  I've never been convinced by the Tortelier recording and I am optimistic that the unique sound and style of the Orchestra de National de France is just what this music needs.

Nah...Tortelier's is one of the best available and Dutilleux was even impressed with his performances, so I think the composer knows best.

My suggestion to those just getting into Dutilleux's music: don't listen to what Scarpia says.

[BALCONY]

Nah...Tortelier's is one of the best available and Dutilleux was even impressed with his performances, so I think the composer knows best.

My suggestion to those just getting into Dutilleux's music: don't listen to what Scarpia says.

I have every recording of "Metaboles" ever released, including some rarities, and a well-studied score. I second the nomination of Rostropovitch's "Metaboles" as the best ever of this miraculous work. The performance is superb, and the sound is brilliant, yet warm and expansive. I've returned to it again and again. (Also contains a best-ever "Timbres...")  Also not to be missed is George Szell's performance with the Cleveland orchestra, released  in 1997 as part of a box set commemorating the Szell's centennial. This is a "holy grail" recording from 1967 (Szell had conducted the premiere two years earlier) which sends chills down the spine with its authority and clarity.

[Mirror Image]

I have every recording of "Metaboles" ever released, including some rarities, and a well-studied score. I second the nomination of Rostropovitch's "Metaboles" as the best ever of this miraculous work. The performance is superb, and the sound is brilliant, yet warm and expansive. I've returned to it again and again. (Also contains a best-ever "Timbres...")  Also not to be missed is George Szell's performance with the Cleveland orchestra, released  in 1997 as part of a box set commemorating the Szell's centennial. This is a "holy grail" recording from 1967 (Szell had conducted the premiere two years earlier) which sends chills down the spine with its authority and clarity.

I'll have to checkout Rostropovich's recording as I generally enjoy his conducting. If I'm not mistaken this performance is coupled with The Shadows of Time correct?

[snyprrr]

I'll have to checkout Rostropovich's recording as I generally enjoy his conducting. If I'm not mistaken this performance is coupled with The Shadows of Time correct?

No, it's with Mystere/Instant on Erato.

[Mirror Image]

No, it's with Mystere/Instant on Erato.

Ah, yes, thanks, but let us not forget this recording:

[asin]B00008LKDH[/asin]

[lescamil]

There is an all Saraste disk of Dutilleux out there for Saraste fans (I can consider myself one). I really like his lean, sleek quasi-Salonen style (he studied with the legendary Jorma Panula in the same class as Salonen and Osmo Vänskä). Get it for next to nothing!

[asin]B0000206AS[/asin]

His Métaboles isn't on the level of the Rostropovich or Szell recordings, but it is still well worth listening to. I have a personal connection to it, for it was the first recording I ever heard of the work.

[Mirror Image]

There is an all Saraste disk of Dutilleux out there for Saraste fans (I can consider myself one). I really like his lean, sleek quasi-Salonen style (he studied with the legendary Jorma Panula in the same class as Salonen and Osmo Vänskä). Get it for next to nothing!

[asin]B0000206AS[/asin]

His Métaboles isn't on the level of the Rostropovich or Szell recordings, but it is still well worth listening to. I have a personal connection to it, for it was the first recording I ever heard of the work.

I like Saraste's conducting, but I just don't know about this recording. Do you own the Tortelier set?

[lescamil]

I do own the Tortelier set, but I haven't listened to it in a while. Generally, I tend to shy away from complete sets, but I remember having mixed feelings about it. Perhaps I should go back and revisit a few of the works. I also have the Hans Graf set, and I've found myself going back to that one more.

[Mirror Image]

I do own the Tortelier set, but I haven't listened to it in a while. Generally, I tend to shy away from complete sets, but I remember having mixed feelings about it. Perhaps I should go back and revisit a few of the works. I also have the Hans Graf set, and I've found myself going back to that one more.

You shy away from complete sets? That's kind of an odd attitude I think. Generally, you can purchase complete sets far more cheaper then you can to buy each disc individually.

Anyway, I haven't heard the Graf Dutilleux recordings, but I've heard mixed things about his performances. Also I'm not generally impressed with Arte Nova recordings anyway, so I'll stick to the Tortelier. I haven't even sought out any more Dutilleux recordings after I bought and listened to the Tortelier set, which gives you an idea of how I doubt these performances could be bettered.

[lescamil]

I've had a few bad experiences with some complete sets (mostly for piano, rather than orchestral works), finding them bland and uninspired, and just recorded for the sake of completion. I perhaps shouldn't have this attitude toward orchestral work sets, though. It's a different situation than with piano works, obviously. Anyhow, if I do get a complete set, I find it more as a starting point to just get to know the work, and then you can go out and get a "specialty" recording later. However, there are times when a complete set will have "the" recording for a certain piece or pieces. Perhaps Tortelier is that sort of set, and I'm just missing it. I'll give it a few more tries. It has been a while.

[Mirror Image]

I've had a few bad experiences with some complete sets (mostly for piano, rather than orchestral works), finding them bland and uninspired, and just recorded for the sake of completion. I perhaps shouldn't have this attitude toward orchestral work sets, though. It's a different situation than with piano works, obviously. Anyhow, if I do get a complete set, I find it more as a starting point to just get to know the work, and then you can go out and get a "specialty" recording later. However, there are times when a complete set will have "the" recording for a certain piece or pieces. Perhaps Tortelier is that sort of set, and I'm just missing it. I'll give it a few more tries. It has been a while.

Yes, I'm talking about orchestral box sets. I'm not a listener of solo piano music, so I couldn't possibly state whether or not I agree/disagree with your opinion. When I first started collecting classical music, the orchestral sets were the way to go for me at first and then I would build on those. In many ways, I'm merely filling in gaps in my collection now.