Search - Georges Bizet, Yan Pascal Tortelier, Ulster Orchestra :: Bizet: Carmen Suites Nos. 1 & 2; L'Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2

Fine Performances and Recording, Marred By Programming Gimmi

Moldyoldie | Motown, USA | 06/10/2007

(3 out of 5 stars)

"The music is a perennial favorite, the performances are very lively and committed, and the beautiful recording is spacious, warm and vivid; but Chandos' decision to arrange in chronological order the twelve sections of Bizet's two popular orchestral suites derived from his opera Carmen was a mistake. The whole thing ends in an innocuous, understated and most inappropriate fashion; i.e., it ends on a harrumph and not with a bang as it should.



This is one of those recordings for which the CD player's programming function was made -- and going to the trouble of programming is worth the effort! Chandos does supply the original order of the suites' sections in its track listing. However, there are many fine recordings available for which one doesn't have to go through the fuss.



The couplings, the equally popular L'Arlesienne Suites, also receive rousing and spirited performances and present no ill-conceived programming gimmicks."