Search - Georges Bizet, Marc Minkowski, Les Musiciens du Louvre :: Bizet: L'Arlesienne; Carmen

A New Benchmark for Popular Bizet Works

J. Walker | Dallas, TX USA | 09/02/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Bizet: L'Arlesienne; Carmen



What a wonderful recording! As a former orchestra member and the owner of a small recording studio, people ask me to recommend recordings that sound like the listener is sitting in with the symphony. This this their recording. (It sounds like you are sitting . . . probably with the violas I would say.) The musicianship of this ensemble (Les Musiciens du Louve - Grenoble) is exemplary. The recording by engineers Laure Casenave-Pere and Vincent Mons is intimate, yet euphonic, and lets you hear just how exceptional these musicians really are. In light of this album, conductor Marc Minkowski will probably be acknowledged as the greatest living interpreter of Bizet. Packaging the CD in a nice little book is simply the icing on the cake. It's a great addition to the library of the fussiest music critic, audiophile, or any lover of truly great music."

Very special recordings of "standard" Bizet works

Douglas Thorpe | Los Angeles, CA USA | 06/21/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These frequently recorded Bizet works (L'Arlesienne suites and incidental music, and Carmen suite) receive a very refreshing expression in this new recording by Marc Minkowski and his Louvre musicians. French music is unique and is best performed by the French. In these recordings the band captures the feeling of the music like none other that I have heard."

Modern reference

Prescott Cunningham Moore | 09/19/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stunning. While there are plenty of wonderful recordings of both the Carmen Suite and the two suites derived from the incidental music to L'Arlesienne, Marc Minkowski and the period Musiciens du Louvre deliver a modern reference edition of these masterpieces not only because the level of playing is simply spectacular but also because the program is presented in such a thoroughly logical and fascinating manor.



Bizet only arranged the first of the two L'Arlesienne suites; the second was arranged after the composer's death by his colleague Ernest Guiraud. Minkowski presented both suites, but places some of the instrumental and vocal interludes from Bizet's original incidental music between suite one and two, which allows listeners to hear Bizet's original thoughts and orchestration of this music.



But this is only a small reason why this release is so special. It is rare to find such perfection from a period instrument group, even in this day and age. Rarer still to find such winning ensemble work to be coupled with idiomatic playing that creates a truly French sound, from the pert winds, bright brass, and gutsy strings. Finally, add a conductor who not only knows this music well, but is able to highlight new aspects of this familiar music, all the while staying true to the score.



A winning release, one that I listed to almost exclusively for months, that will certainly please any fans of Bizet or French music generally."