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Bizet - L'Arlesienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2, Carmen Suite - Cluyten 

Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Concervatoire
André Cluytens (conductor)

his compilation brings together two works of Bizet with some melodic and instrumental similarities. Cluytens' conducting gives the music a haunting and ethereal quality that is irresistable, reaching an emotional climax in the flute and harp solo in the second suite of L'Arlésienne. Especially in the fast passages of the music, Cluytens sounds determined and efficient, but never overlooking the music's nuance and subtlety. One could say that the music has the beauty of French music in abundance without indulging in superfluous excess.

Esoteric did a very good job in remastering the recording. The emphasis is not on dynamics, PRAT, sound stage width and depth or what have you; the Decca recordings in Esoteric's reissue program seem to have those attributes better covered. Instead, the remastering reveals the subtleties of instrumental timber and air in full spades which complements the nature of this music superbly. The soundstage is clear and well defined without sounding etched (which can be nice in some other situations); it is somewhat narrow in width but is surprisingly deep. It is a disc that impresses you in its nuance and detail rather than through sensory stimulation.

dank aan originele poster!