Review: Why Not Sample d'Indy's Orchestral Works on Chandos?



d’Indy: Orchestral Works. Iceland Symphony Orchestra, Rumon Gamba (cond.) Chandos (6 CDs available separately)

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16 thoughts on “Review: Why Not Sample d'Indy's Orchestral Works on Chandos?”

  1. Thankfully, I have these. I purchased them as they were released. Love the clarity and pace of the performances on all discs. I always thought they were recorded a little too politely, but now understand when you mentioned the size of the orchestra. Love 'em all.

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  2. Thanks for bringing this to everyone's attention! I have all these. I'd hoped that there would be things of an equivalent inspiration to Symphony on a French Mountain Air — but there really isn't. It's a standalone masterpiece. I adore French romantic music, but d'Indy unfortunately is less interesting than more minor figures such as Gaubert. I'm also a committed Baxian. I don't mind the comparison at all, but I think that Bax's melodic & harmonic inspiration is consistently superior. But Bax doesn't have a single piece in the standard repertoire, & d'Indy does!

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  3. the only three orchestral works by d’Indy that aren’t currently in this series but was recorded by others were Concert for Flute, Piano, Cello and Strings, the oboe konzertstück Fantaisie sur des thèmes populaires français and orchestral excerpts from the opera l’étranger. One wonders if his unnumbered Jean Hunyade Symphony and Antoine et Cleopatre Overture could make it on disk one day, since they came after the first symphony (which is an early work without opus). And I’m a little curious about his early piano sonata in c minor (although it’s perhaps wrong to imagine that early one with the grandiose of his e minor sonata)

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  4. I first heard his evocative symphonies on recordings by Munch and Ormandy that were done in the 50's. Having been outdoorsman, mountain hiker and sailor during my lifetime, I am partial to what might be termed "Outdoor Music," and several d'Indy compositions qualify in that regard. Thanks, as always, for recognizing the less known composers.

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  5. Topic: What's up with recording engineers? As I listen to my collection, I notice that there are different methods of recording orchestras. For example on Naxos more often than not it seems I am sitting in the balcony of the hall. To my ear, it seems muddy and lacks detail that I like to hear in recordings. I don't seem to notice it as much in older recordings from Columbia, RCA etc. I would imagine some people must like this "far away" sound. I like it more up close. Perhaps you have already discussed this in a previous video? Thanks!

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  6. I happen to have the first three discs. Got them when they came out. I admit to not really taking the time to immerse myself in them properly. I would be selective about getting any more at this point, and will try to audition what is available on streaming before committing to the other three.

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