Paavo Järvi was
appointed music director of the Cincinnati
Symphony Orchestra in 2001 and since
then has been hard at work developing
this fine regional ensemble into an
international musical force. From the
sound of his spate of recent recordings
for Telarc, he is succeeding handsomely,
and this collection of Debussy favorites-plus-one
handily demonstrates this conductor’s
taste and refinement, as well as his
ability to build a glowing and finely
honed orchestral sound.
The works on this program
need little introduction, as they are
familiar to music lovers everywhere.
And one might complain too that this
is a disc of over-recorded if not over-performed
warhorses. Yet, Maestro Järvi and
his orchestra have turned in such an
exceptionally fine, beautifully paced
performance here that seasoned collectors
will want to add it to their trove,
and first-timers can feel perfectly
comfortable in choosing this as their
single representation.
Opening with the famous
Prelude, after a poem of Mallarmé,
this is the work that perhaps defines
impressionism in music. Haunting and
picturesque, Järvi shapes and balances
this brief but intoxicating work to
perfection. Opening with a flawlessly
played solo from the principal flutist,
the Cincinnati orchestra is superb with
warm, silken strings to crystalline
sounds from the winds. It is as though
nine minutes of music passes in the
span of a single breath so captivating
is this performance.
The Nocturnes began
life in 1892 as a new work to be performed
on a projected tour of the United States.
The project was laid aside when the
tour came to naught. Later, the composer
informed the famed violinist Eugène
Ysaÿe that he was reworking his
original material for a violin concerto.
This work, like the first orchestral
piece did not come to pass. Finally,
Debussy reworked his material once again
to form these three magnificent canvases
of sound, the musical equivalent to
the finest Monet or van Gogh.
Järvi has a definite
knack for capturing mood and nuance
in a subtle fashion. His readings of
these three very diverse soundscapes
are never overstated, elegant but not
prissy, bold and sonorous without ever
being overbearing. And once again, the
orchestra rises to the challenge of
Debussy’s colorful scores. Nuages
is dreamy and relaxed without succumbing
to being lugubrious. Fêtes
is joyous and sprightly without
ever losing its refinement and Sirènes
with its haunting wordless chorus of
women is simply ravishing, a perfect
recreation of Debussy’s beloved seascape.
La Mer is perhaps
Debussy’s greatest masterpiece amongst
an output of impeccable creations. Afraid
that the ocean itself would distract
him, the composer took to the mountains
in order to create his ‘impression’
of the sea, rather than a firsthand
account of what he was seeing in the
present. Again this is a performance
that can be ranked amongst the finest
efforts of Ansermet, Dutoit, Abbado
and others who have made memorable recordings
of it. What is most striking to these
ears is the clarity with which this
orchestra plays, and the restraint that
is observed in the louder passages.
Debussy most carefully orchestrated
this work to reflect an abstract notion
of the sea, and Järvi and his players
never give away all the secrets. This
is a truly first-rate interpretation.
The program closes
with the little known and seldom heard
Berceuse héroïque,
written in tribute to the people of
Belgium for their bravery in the face
of the German invasion during the First
World War. It is a slight piece and
somewhat lacking in substance, especially
compared to the other works on this
recital. Nonetheless, it is a welcome
addition, and a pleasant listen.
Telarc are up to their
usual standards for excellent sound
production. Program notes are concise,
well crafted and informative. A fine
addition to any collection, this disc
is a winner on all counts. Highly recommended.
Kevin Sutton
May Festival Chorus 
