Composer: Claude Achille Debussy
Performer: Guylaine Girard, Sophie Marilley, Bernard Richter, Alain Buet, Marie-Josèphe Jude, Jean-François Heisser, Flemish Radio Choir
Orchestra: Brussels Philharmonic Orchestra
Conductor: Hervé Niquet
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Glossa
Catalogue: GCD922206
Release: 2010
Size: 466 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
01. Prelude et recit: Mort aux Romains. (Narbal)
02. Air: O peuple habile. (Narbal)
03. Invocation: Baal, source de feu. et scene (Narbal, Fulvie)
04. Duo: Trop tard, j’ai compris ton emoi. (Fulvie, Narbal)
05. Duo: L’impatience populaire. (Fulvie, Narbal)
06. Scene et trio: Ma fille ! Dans les bras de cet homme !. (Fulvie, Narbal, Metellus)
07. Scene: O Fulvie !. Adieu. (Fulvie, Narbal, Metellus)
08. Invocation
09. La damoiselle elue
CD 02
01. I. Tres modere
02. II. Moderato
03. Le printemps (arr. C. Lehn)
04. Salut Printemps
05. Prelude
06. Recit et air: L’annee en vain chasse l’annee !. (Lia)
07. Cortege et air de danses
08. Recit et air: Ces airs joyeux, ces chants de fete. (Azael)
09. Scene: Je m’enfuis. (Lia, Azael)
10. Duo: Heures fortunees !.et scene (Lia, Azael)
11. Air: Faites silence !. et scene (Lia, Azael, Simeon)
12. Gloire a toi Seigneur. (Lia, Azael, Simeon)
Claude Debussy presented himself as a candidate for the Prix de Rome on three separate occasions during the 1880s, the most innovative decade in the history of that competition; a time when success entitled the victors (at the French government’s expense) to spend several years at the Villa Medici in Rome. Names of prize winners from this time include Debussy, Dukas, Leroux and Charpentier.
Presented on this 2-CD set is a group of little known compositions by Debussy, dating from between 1882 and 1888: Le Gladiateur and the first versions of L’Enfant prodigue (of which only the 1906 reorchestration is occasionally performed) and Printemps – a highly individual piece (scored for choir and piano, four hands) later turned into a symphonic suite. A version for piano and voice of La Damoiselle élue and the choruses written for the competitions of 1882, 1883 and 1884 complete this survey of hitherto unknown works by Debussy. This release represents the first issue in a new collection from Glossa centred on music associated with the Prix de Rome. This is being prepared in collaboration with Hervé Niquet, who here is conducting two of Europe’s foremost ensembles.