Search - Claude Debussy, Michael Tilson Thomas, London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus :: Claude Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien

A great interpretation of a rarity

Ytzan | Athens, GR | 05/16/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've enjoyed this disc than everything I have heard in the last year or so. Michael Tilson Thomas is a great conductor indeed - the best of his generetion along with Sir Simon. His orchestra - the LSO - is at top form, the soloists are magnificent and it's beyond any doubt that you can not find a match for this piece. Most of the times there are some passages as a fill-ups in some Debussy discs ( Baremboim's account on DG is one of them) but there is so much more to that music. A joyful experience. A must for any classical music lover."

A Finely Honed Performance of Debussy's Complete Martyre de

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 09/16/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Though originally a failure in its original form as a ballet/mystery play, a collaboration from Debussy, Gabriel D'Annunzio and Ida Rubenstein (who oddly assumed the role of Sébastien!), Michel Fokine and Leon Baskt, the orchestral excerpts continue to be part of the repertoire of some of the finer orchestras around the globe. Here Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and soloists in as complete a version of the musical aspects of this theatrical event as possible. The result is slightly over an hour of some truly gorgeous Debussy!



Though the movements are rather start and stop on this recording, that is not a fault: it is the nature of this episodic work. The otherworldly music feels coaxed from the inner voices of the orchestra and chorus and is superbly interpreted by Thomas. The soloists include Ann Murray, Sylvia McNair and Nathalie Stutzmann and are all excellent. Enhancing the concept of the work as a whole is the wise inclusion of the narrator (known as Recitant and Le Saint) and Leslie Caron delivers a wholly committed performance. In all, Tilson Thomas shines here.



While there are other recordings of the shorter Symphonic Fragments of this work, namely the recording by Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Dawn Upshaw and Paula Rasmussen which is perfection, having the option of this total experience is well worth adding the recording to your library. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 05"

Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien

M. Mcdonnell | 08/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"A beautiful musical work by the master. Oddly, not often heard. This happens to be one of those rare "hidden masterpieces". Ms Caron is excellent. A good add to any collection."