Fete

This "fête Baroque" occurred in December 2011 at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris, marking the tenth anniversary of the ensemble Le Concert d'Astrée under founder and conductor Emmanuelle Haïm. The concert was a benefit for a French cancer research facility, and it attracted a galaxy of guest stars. Le Concert d'Astrée is one of the very best Baroque vocal ensembles, and this release never descends to a low common denominator. Haïm's trademark expressive phrasing is everywhere in evidence, but the biggest attraction is the selection of singers, with several figures from the mainstream showing up alongside established Baroque specialists.

Ernest Chausson’s death in 1899 in a bicycle accident robbed French music of a major talent. Almost his entire orchestral output fits on this extremely fine CD. Yan Pascal Tortelier’s performance of the richly romantic Symphony is the best since Munch’s Boston Symphony recording. Like Munch, Tortelier knows how to keep the music moving along–he’s only an insignificant two minutes slower than Munch for the whole work–without overindulging the more luscious moments, which in Chausson’s opulent setting really do take care of themselves. Even better, rather than some overplayed encore piece by another composer, the symphony is coupled with two very attractive, rarely heard tone poems and two charming orchestral excerpts from the composer’s incidental music to Shakespeare’s The Tempest. The orchestra plays with conviction, Chandos’ sonics are gorgeous, and if you don’t buy this disc, you’re missing out on some marvelous stuff.

Born in 1978, jazz musician at heart since his childhood, Ludovic Beier is passionate about his "west-coast". He discovers his idols (Chick Corea, George Duke, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, George Benson …) that influence in the years of his musical training. He began composing at an early age and slides his albums some of his themes, ballads to bebop…

In addition to his many opera recordings for Decca over the years conductor Richard Bonynge also made arguably an even greater cultural contribution with these often first and only recordings of these important Ballets rarities. Unfortunately the bulk of the repertoire here is known mostly to dancers than to those who simply enjoy outstanding orchestral music- and it is to the latter that this set couldn't be more urgently recommended. For ballet professionals and music librarians, this quintessential offering is a must.