Description
Mercury Living Presence: A Collection of French Orchestral Masterpieces (Audio CD)
Product Information
- Catalog Number: 434 335-2 MM
- UPC: 028943433525
- Product Type: Compact Disc (DDD) – Compilation
- Genre: Classical – Orchestral & Ballet Music
- Language: Primarily French (with original titles in Italian and English), bilingual liner notes available
- Publication Date: 1994
- Publisher: Mercury Living Presence / Philips Classics Productions
- Manufactured In: Germany
- Recording Details: Conductor: Antal Dorati
- Tracks 1–6 recorded in August 1965, Great Britain
- Tracks 7–10 recorded in April 1960, USA (now renamed Minnesota Orchestra)
- Cover Photo: Henry Ries
- Art Direction: Ton Friesen
Overview
This exclusive compilation from Mercury Living Presence gathers a striking selection of French orchestral masterpieces that span the innovative spirit of early twentieth-century music. Under the baton of the renowned conductor Antal Dorati, the recording features:
- Erik Satie – "Parade": A ballet réaliste inspired by a theme of Jean Cocteau, evoking vivid theatrical imagery.
- Jean Françaix – Concertino for Piano and Orchestra: A sparkling work presented in four dynamic sections—combining witty, lyrical, and playful elements—featuring solo piano passages by Claude Françaix and the powerful support of the London Symphony Orchestra.
- Darius Milhaud – "Contrasts for Orchestra": Encompassing a range of moods from the energetic "Allegro con forza" to the poignant "Adagio", with a special inclusion of Milhaud’s celebrated ballet piece Le Bœuf sur le toit (inspired by Jean Cocteau), enriched further by a Scherzo and an "Allegro marciale-Presto" passage.
- Georges Auric – "Ouverture": A spirited and engaging work that concludes the compilation with its vibrant character.
This collection is a must-have for connoisseurs of French orchestral music, offering both technical brilliance and emotional depth.
French Translation – Overview (Aperçu)
Cette compilation exclusive de Mercury Living Presence réunit une sélection marquante de chefs-d’œuvre orchestraux français du début du XXᵉ siècle. Sous la direction du célèbre chef d’orchestre Antal Dorati, l’enregistrement présente :
- Erik Satie – "Parade" : Un ballet réaliste inspiré d’un thème de Jean Cocteau, évoquant des images théâtrales saisissantes.
- Jean Françaix – Concertino pour piano et orchestre : Une œuvre pétillante divisée en quatre sections dynamiques – mêlant finesse, lyrisme et esprit ludique – avec des passages solistes pour piano interprétés par Claude Françaix et l’appui puissant du London Symphony Orchestra.
- Darius Milhaud – "Contrasts for Orchestra" : Alliant des ambiances variées allant de l’énergie de l’"Allegro con forza" à la tendresse de l’"Adagio", incluant également l’incontournable ballet Le Bœuf sur le toit (inspiré par Jean Cocteau), enrichi par un Scherzo et un passage "Allegro marciale-Presto".
- Georges Auric – "Ouverture" : Une pièce vivante et entraînante qui conclut la compilation sur une note vibrante.
Cette collection est incontournable pour les amateurs de musique orchestrale française, offrant à la fois brio technique et profondeur émotionnelle.
Product Features
- Audio Format: DDD for exceptional sound clarity and immersive listening experience
- Packaging: Deluxe CD case featuring detailed bilingual liner notes
- Featured Soloists & Orchestras:
- Claude Françaix on piano (Concertino)
- London Symphony Orchestra (Jean Françaix’s Concertino)
- Minnesota Symphony Orchestra (now known as the Minnesota Orchestra, featured in later tracks)
- Repertoire Highlights:
- Erik Satie’s innovative "Parade" (Ballet réaliste on a Jean Cocteau theme)
- Jean Françaix’s multi-section Concertino for Piano and Orchestra
- Darius Milhaud’s dynamic "Contrasts for Orchestra" (including the ballet Le Bœuf sur le toit)
- Georges Auric’s engaging "Ouverture"
Interesting Facts
English
- Diverse Repertoire:
- The compilation juxtaposes works by several visionary composers, each contributing unique stylistic elements—from the theatrical wit of Satie to the refined humor of Françaix and the rhythmic contrasts of Milhaud.
- Historical Recordings:
- Tracks were recorded in two different eras and locations, capturing distinct performance practices from Great Britain (1965) and the USA (1960).
- Artistic Excellence:
- Under Antal Dorati’s masterful leadership, both the London Symphony Orchestra and the Minnesota Symphony Orchestra deliver performances that highlight precision, expressive nuance, and vibrant orchestral colors.
- Visual & Packaging Design:
- The cover, photographed by Henry Ries and art-directed by Ton Friesen, reflects the innovative spirit of the era and complements the music’s dynamic character.
French Translation – Interesting Facts (Faits Intéressants)
- Répertoire Diversifié :
- La compilation juxtapose des œuvres de plusieurs compositeurs visionnaires, chacun apportant des éléments stylistiques uniques – de l’esprit théâtral de Satie à l’humour raffiné de Françaix et aux contrastes rythmiques de Milhaud.
- Enregistrements Historiques :
- Les morceaux ont été enregistrés à deux époques et dans deux lieux différents, capturant ainsi des pratiques d’interprétation distinctes en Grande-Bretagne (1965) et aux États-Unis (1960).
- Excellence Artistique :
- Sous la direction magistrale d’Antal Dorati, le London Symphony Orchestra et le Minnesota Symphony Orchestra offrent des performances qui mettent en valeur la précision, la nuance expressive et des couleurs orchestrales vibrantes.
- Design Visuel & Packaging :
- La pochette, photographiée par Henry Ries et dirigée artistiquement par Ton Friesen, reflète l’esprit innovant de l’époque et complète le caractère dynamique de la musique.
Track Listing
1. Erik Satie – "Parade"
(Ballet réaliste on a theme of Jean Cocteau)
- Duration: Not individually specified (integral to the compilation)
2. Jean Françaix – Concertino for Piano and Orchestra (Total: 14:27)
- Movements:
- [1.1] Choral-Prélude du Rideau rouge – Prestidigitateur (Presto leggiero): 1:51
- [1.2] Lent – "Chinois" / "Petite fille": 1:44 and 5:16 respectively
- [1.3] Allegretto: Rondeau (featuring Claude Françaix on Piano): 4:15
- [1.4] "Americaine" & "Acrobates": 3:51 and 2:56 respectively
- Finale – Suite au "Prélude du Rideau rouge": 2:24
- Performed by the London Symphony Orchestra
3. Darius Milhaud – "Contrasts for Orchestra" (Including Le Bœuf sur le toit)
- Movements:
- Movement 1: Allegro con forza: Approximately 8:00
- Movement 2: Adagio: Segmented into parts (durations: 4:03 and 5:24)
- Movement 3: Le Bœuf sur le toit (Ballet, after Jean Cocteau):
- Scherzo: 18:35
- Allegro ma non troppo: 3:52
- Movement 4: Allegro marciale-Presto: 4:58
- Performed by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (now Minnesota Orchestra), with contributions by Paul Fetler
4. Georges Auric – "Ouverture"
- Duration: 7:51
Total Playing Time: Approximately 67:00
Publishers
This compilation was released in 1994 by Philips Classics Productions under the Mercury Living Presence series. Printed in Germany. All rights reserved.
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Hashtags
English:
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French (Étiquettes):
#MercuryLivingPresence #AntalDorati #ErikSatie #JeanFrançaix #DariusMilhaud #GeorgesAuric #CompilationClassique #ChefsDoeuvreOrchestraux #LondonSymphony #MinnesotaOrchestra