Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Paul Dukas with this captivating album, released on November 4, 2014, under the Naxos label. Spanning a duration of 1 hour and 11 minutes, this single-disc collection showcases Dukas' mastery of orchestral composition, featuring some of his most celebrated works.
The album opens with "L'apprenti sorcier" (The Sorcerer's Apprentice), a symphonic poem that has become one of Dukas' most famous compositions, thanks in part to its use in Disney's "Fantasia." The piece is a whimsical and dramatic exploration of the tale of a sorcerer's apprentice who misuses his master's magic.
Next, the album presents "La péri," a symphonic poem inspired by a poem by Maurice Maeterlinck. This work is divided into two parts: "Fanfare pour précéder la péri" and "La péri" itself. The piece is a rich tapestry of sound, evoking the mystical and ethereal world of the péri, a supernatural being from Persian mythology.
The final work on the album is Dukas' "Symphony in C Major," a grand and sweeping composition that showcases the composer's ability to blend lyrical melodies with powerful orchestral forces. The symphony is divided into three movements: "Allegro non troppo vivace, ma con fuoco," "Andante espressivo e sostenuto," and "Allegro spiritoso."
Throughout the album, Dukas' unique voice shines through, blending romanticism with a touch of the fantastical. The performances by the RTE Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Pascal Rophé, are vibrant and full of energy, bringing Dukas' compositions to life in vivid detail. Whether you're a seasoned classical music enthusiast or a newcomer to the genre, this album offers a rich and rewarding listening experience.
Vinylscout