Opera - Pelleas and Melisande Recommendations

[Vicious Tyrant]

I've been listening to the Furtwangler recording of Debussy's Pelleas (with Suthaus and Flagstad) lately - it's the only recording I have access to, and I understand it's the "definitive" recording.

Does anyone else out there have another recording to recommend and why? This opera is really interesting and would seem to be flexible and conducive to other styles of conducting.

 

[PSmith08]

The Herbert von Karajan recording on EMI seems well-liked. I am not that big of a Debussy fan, so my grammar is sadly limited on this topic. It wasn't awful when last I heard it.

 

[mbhaub]

Both the EMI Karajan and the DG Abbado are excellent, but I give Karajan the edge as it has a greater sense of atmosphere about it. And let's face it: HvK was a great Debussy conductor. But, the best recording I've ever heard is the stereo one Ansermet made on London. The sound, dated, is still excellent, and boy does Ansermet find the creep factor in this music.

So unless modern digital sound is important: 1) Ansermet, 2) Karajan, 3) Abbado and after then its a crap shoot. Cluytens is a winner, too, but very pricey.

 

[Vicious Tyrant]

Thanks both of you. (PSmith, I know I can always count on you for an informative response!).

mbhuab, I love the older recordings and the Ansermet sounds tempting - he's a new name to me, I don't know anything about him. I just looked it up and found it for $33. Is it really, really worth it? I hate paying full price.

 

[mbhaub]

Ansermet was/is highly regarded in the French repertoire as well as a master of Stravinsky, among others. His Ravel and Debussy recordings remain among the best. If I have a bias towards that recording, it's because I grew up and into classical music having purchased many of his recordings. Really, it's a matter of what you want. Personally, I think his earlier mono version is even better, but mono sound is best left to specialists. But why would you pay $33? You can get it at Amazon and other places for under $18. At that price there's no question.

There are many fine recordings of this beautiful work. Karajan, Dutoit, Boulez, Casadesus, Haitink, Abbado, Ansermet, et al. There are NO duds. I don't think any of the currently available versions would disappoint you. If you want more detailed info, you should try to get a copy of the Penguin Guide for a comparison.

 

[daycart1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicious Tyrant I've been listening to the Furtwangler recording of Debussy's Pelleas (with Suthaus and Flagstad) lately - it's the only recording I have access to, and I understand it's the "definitive" recording. .

jWow, I haven't heard the F'wanger--I'll need to find it asap. The one I know best is the Ansermet. I also have a nice DVD with the Lyon Opera that is good for a watch/listen.

 

[mbhaub]

There is NO Furtwangler recording of P & M. He's thinking about Furtwangler's Tristan and Isolde with Flagstad, and it is the definitive version of T & I.

 

[PSmith08]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub There is NO Furtwangler recording of P & M. He's thinking about Furtwangler's Tristan and Isolde with Flagstad, and it is the definitive version of T & I.

That is by no means a settled matter, but it is also a concern for the Wagner Operas thread.

However, I autocorrected for the error. Thanks for publicly clearing it up.

 

[daycart1]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub There is NO Furtwangler recording of P & M. He's thinking about Furtwangler's Tristan and Isolde with Flagstad, and it is the definitive version of T & I.

THanks, hahaha, it's hard to imagine Flagstad and Suthaus doing the Frenchie stuff...

 

[JefferyK]

Ansermet. Both of the recordings he made for Decca are great. The stereo recording is easily available and cheap.

I've always wanted to hear the Karajan recording with Von Stade. I heard her sing Melisande at the San Francisco Opera several years back, and she was exactly right for the role.

Jeffery

 

[JefferyK]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Vicious Tyrant Thanks both of you. (PSmith, I know I can always count on you for an informative response!). mbhuab, I love the older recordings and the Ansermet sounds tempting - he's a new name to me, I don't know anything about him. I just looked it up and found it for $33. Is it really, really worth it? I hate paying full price.

Is this cheaper?

http://www.amazon.fr/exec/obidos/ASI...331252-5071346

Jeffery

 

[Vicious Tyrant]

Quote:

Originally Posted by mbhaub There is NO Furtwangler recording of P & M. He's thinking about Furtwangler's Tristan and Isolde with Flagstad, and it is the definitive version of T & I.

Ha! Here I don't check my own thread for days and I come back to find this embarrassing error! Oof....

Anyway, my mistake but thanks for the recommendations (and I went back to the library and it was the Karajan I'd been listening to all along). If I may defind myself it was reading that stupid Wagner thread that got my mind so off track!!!