Search - Debussy, Pommer, Leipzig Radio Sym Orch :: La Mer / Nocturnes

DAZZLING DEBUSSY

Melvyn M. Sobel | Freeport (Long Island), New York | 11/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yet another incredible Laserlight release that boldly refutes the idea that a CD must be expensive to be good, or to warrant our attention.



Max Pommer's Debussy is absolutely on the mark, top-notch, and the Leipzig RSO follows in total accord. La Mer has a grand sweep, a majesty; its three movements pull us in and out like tides; its breezes caress us; its turbulence propels us; its moodiness beguiles us. The Nocturnes are just as brilliantly wrought: mysterious, thrilling, captivating. Even the hackneyed Prelude To The Afternoon Of A Faun gets a much-needed "face-lift." Under Pommer's direction, we're enchanted, mesmerized.



The CD retains glorious, full atmospheric sound throughout, but not at the expense of detail, with climaxes that are bracing and subtleties that are appropriately nuanced.



[Running time: 61:03]



"

Overdramatic Dynamics

M. R. | United States | 01/02/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"In a misguided attempt at drama, Pommer starts these pieces with such soft pianissimos that I could not hear a thing even with my volume turned up to the max. Having the volume at a max soon turned out to be a bad idea as the recording became extremely loud. However, if you don't mind twenty seconds or so of silence replacing the beginning of each track, it is possible to listen to the CD without resorting to constantly changing the volume.Indeed, beyond this complaint, I found the recording to be a fairly good interpretation of the pieces. As Debussy did write in fairly extreme dynamics, I find it hard to place to much blame on the orchestra. Their performance would have been great in a concert hall, but I would still have expected a Radio Symphony Orchestra to have a better feeling for what is possible on modern stereo equipment."

Recording Not Up to Snuff

M. R. | 07/08/2001

(2 out of 5 stars)

"Debussy has long been one of my favorite composers. "La Mer" is a fantastic portrayal of the sea and it was with great anticipation I ordered this CD, However, I am greatly disappointed in the actual recording. It is impossible to listen to in comfort without constantly lowering and raising the sound level. One minute, the music is so low, it cannot be heard. The next, a loud burst of music jolts and startles one. It is a pity, to have beautiful music such as this spoiled by poor sound engineering."