Debussy-Danse - Jeux, Dukas-LaPeri FFSS London CS-6043 Blue-Back

Debussy: Danse, Jeux, Dukas; Dukas: La Peri FFSS London CS 6043 First Pressing, Blue-Back. Ernest Ansermet conducting L’Orchestre De La Suisse Romande.

Jeux (1913) was Debussy’s last orchestral work and was written for Diaghilev. The ballet traces three tennis players who flirt with each other while chasing a lost ball. It’s an elusive and complex score with many mood changes. Ansermet’s deft performance captures the flighty nature of this score, and the sound is close up. Debussy’s orchestration of Ravel’s piano work, Danse, id delightful. Ansermet emphasizes the rhymic aspects of the score. The Dukas is a fine example of the larger than life and immediate sound that was London’s strength. Denis Stevens writes in The Stereo Guide.

The opening fanfare {Dukas} (a good stereo effect this) is reminiscent of the brass writing of Andrea Gabrieli, the sixteenth century Italian composer: no doubt its intention is to set the scene of fairy tale antiquity. The rest of the score is both sensuous and brilliant and the conductor makes every point tell, moulding the picturesque writing with his characteristically sure touch. The recording is very good, certainly admirably clear, and handles the exciting climaxes easily.

Recorded in May, 1958. James Walker, producer; Roy Wallace, engineer. All of Ansermet’s recordings were made in Victoria Hall, Geneva, Switzerland.

Condition: Vinyl- Side One, 9/10, M-. Side Two, 9/10 M-. Performance is a 9, Sound a 10. Jacket, M. PayPal please pay 3%. I consider and accept reasonable offers. I will not consider a large discount off my asking price and also want free shipping. Thanks for looking.