The popular Classics for Pleasure label is making a
comeback, reissuing recordings from twenty to thirty years ago with
remastered sound in CD format. This attractive compilation of popular
classics from the Scottish National and Hallé orchestras has
much to commend it, since the performances are fresh and direct, and
the recorded sound has come up well in its reincarnation.
The unifying factor, of course, is the French theme,
and the two Ravel items, while both less atmospheric than some more
recent versions, still bring a colourful and distinguished orchestral
sound to enchant the ear. It is good to have the alternative of the
shorter Suite from Mother Goose rather than the full ballet score that
has been more popular in recent recordings. The latter contains fine
music that one would not with to be without, but it is the Suite which
is most often heard in the concert hall, and which contains the best
music from this source. Gibson's phrasing is occasionally a little prosaic,
and the final scene in the magical Fairy Garden can sound more lustrous
than this, but even so tempi are well chosen and the balances are pleasing.
Likewise James Loughran's account of Boléro is good without being
outstanding; more recent recordings can offer that little extra in terms
of sophisticated sound.
The selection from Bizet's orchestrated piano music,
Children's Games, is also pleasing, and the balance between movements
confirms the sense of Sir Alexander Gibson's choice of tempi, but better
still is Saint-Saëns's Carnival of the Animals, in which the pianists
Philip Fowke and Peter Katin are a match for any opposition, there teamwork
really compelling. Add a fresh and vital rendition of The Sorcerer's
Apprentice under Loughran, and this bargain-priced issue has much to
commend it.
Terry Barfoot
Hallé Orchestra/James
Loughran