"Clair de Lune", please recommend a rendition...

....I have a Jacques Rouvier piano solo version but I'm looking for a more 'orchestral' version of this astounding piece of music, hope I'm making sense here thanks.

 

I don't think there are too many orchestral versions.

There is one on a Naxos CD called something like 'Chill out with Debussy'

 

I have an orchestral arrangement on a CBS Masterworks Dinner Classics CD comp, "The French Album"; I see it's still available on Amazon.

I'm no Classical expert, but this is some of my favorite music of all time.

 

I'd recommend this one...


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Debussy-Night-Granada-Orchestral-Arrangements/dp/B00004THE3/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&s=music&qid=1197030315&sr=1-7

 

Leopold Stokowski did what many believe to be the definitive version. He did it for EMI (vintage 50s sound) and DECCA (more upfront Phase 4 sound). I prefer the EMI myself, although both a sumptuous.

His arrangement has been recorded by conductors on both TELARC and CHANDOS labels, both audiophile quality. The TELARC disc has many other similar, beutiful pieces. The CHANDOS disc has other Stokowski arrangements, each with his brand of style. The Telarc is easier to find; the Chandos is worth searching for.

Hope this helps.

 

The version I love is THIS one. Eugene Ormandy and the Philadelphia Orchestra do Clair de Lune. Very emotional and sounds great.

One note, I have Eric Kunzel doing it on Telarc and it sounds pretty empty and the recordiing lacks midrange. I was surprised how it left me unfulfilled.

 

The Stokowski gets a perfect 10/10 from the cognoscenti...

http://www.arkivmusic.com/classical/album.jsp?album_id=6728

As for modern piano versions, the Zoltan Kocsis on Philips is to die for. Unfortunately it's out of print.

 

Mantovani & His Orchestra did an AMAZING version for their "Concert Encores"Lp....You might want to get that Lp! Michael Boyce

 

The Classic Records reissue of the Living Stereo LP sounds terrific.

 

I find it much more enjoyable when I'm playing it myself.

 

there's a new recording of Debussy orchestrations on the Atma Classique (www.atmaclassique.com) label with the Orchestre symphonique de Quebec led by Yoav Talmi. it was rated 10/10 (for sound/performance) by archivmusic.com and is on a dual layer disc with redbook/sacd/sacd surround content. i have it and can say that it is a great disc that brings together many of the great orchestrations of familiar Debussy piano pieces (including two different orchestrations of Clair de lune; the Stokowski and one by Andre Caplet). you can order it through Archivmusic but I picked it up at my local HMV here in Toronto.

 

From The "Snowflakes Are Dancing" album by Tomita.

Very pretty!

 

Victor Borge. Clear the room.

 

I don't know if that song could sound anything but beautiful.

 

Now there's a name I haven't heard in a dog's age.

Here is the YouTube of it:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GuazkV70vaM

 

The classic records reissue of the RCA Living Stereo album is great and has extra tracks which the original RCA issue lacks. It was one of RCA's UK recorded sessions, conducted by Raymond Agoult, London Proms Orchestra. I don't know if this LP ever made it to CD. I think there have been licencing issues with the UK tapes over the years.

 

For collectors of old 78's, I would recommend Andre Kostelanetz' orchestral version on Columbia Masterworks (green label) 7361-M from 1940. It was so popular, that its shelf life carried on to within a few years of Columbia's adopting the 45 technology invented by RCA. Moreover, there was also an issue on its 7" 33-1/3 RPM format (as 3-518, in early 1950). On 45 RPM, there were two catalogue numbers - 4-7361-M (in 1951) and 4-4770 (in 1953). I have all but the 1953 45 issue.

 

The Living Stereo album was recorded by none other than Kenneth Wilkinson! I have the budget reissue of Decca from the 70s which has an incredible amount of bass extension. In this respect, the budget vinyl is the best version of this great sonic gem.

 

Collectables came out with his first two Lp's he did with Columbia/Sony on CD: "Comedy In Music" & "Caught In The Act". You can find them here : www.oldies.com . Michael Boyce

 

And this is performed by whom?

 

Agoult.

 

Thank you.

 

Welcome.
Please see post #17 and #19, too.

 

i like the version on Debussy for Daydreaming cd. There are also some other great orchestral renditions of Debussy classics on it. My favorite Debussy cd is definitely Paul Crossly Complete Works for Debussy Solo Piano Vol 4. A gorgeous cd.