Claude Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien

Claude Debussy (Composer), Michael Tilson Thomas (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus (Orchestra), Leslie Caron (Performer), Ann Murray (Performer), Nathalie Stutzmann (Performer), Sylvia McNair (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Leslie Caron, Ann Murray, Nathalie Stutzmann, Sylvia McNair
• Orchestra: London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus
• Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas
• Composer: Claude Debussy
• Audio CD (March 23, 1993)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony Classical
• ASIN: B0000027WZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #151,753 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Finely Honed Performance of Debussy's Complete Martyre de Saint Sébastien, September 16, 2005

By 

Grady Harp (Los Angeles, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Claude Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (Audio CD)

Though originally a failure in its original form as a ballet/mystery play, a collaboration from Debussy, Gabriel D'Annunzio and Ida Rubenstein (who oddly assumed the role of Sébastien!), Michel Fokine and Leon Baskt, the orchestral excerpts continue to be part of the repertoire of some of the finer orchestras around the globe. Here Michael Tilson Thomas conducts the London Symphony Orchestra and Chorus and soloists in as complete a version of the musical aspects of this theatrical event as possible. The result is slightly over an hour of some truly gorgeous Debussy!

Though the movements are rather start and stop on this recording, that is not a fault: it is the nature of this episodic work. The otherworldly music feels coaxed from the inner voices of the orchestra and chorus and is superbly interpreted by Thomas. The soloists include Ann Murray, Sylvia McNair and Nathalie Stutzmann and are all excellent. Enhancing the concept of the work as a whole is the wise inclusion of the narrator (known as Recitant and Le Saint) and Leslie Caron delivers a wholly committed performance. In all, Tilson Thomas shines here.

While there are other recordings of the shorter Symphonic Fragments of this work, namely the recording by Esa-Pekka Salonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic with Dawn Upshaw and Paula Rasmussen which is perfection, having the option of this total experience is well worth adding the recording to your library. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, September 05

12 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a Debussy rarity, January 20, 2000

By 

HAYK SVAJIAN - See all my reviews

This review is from: Claude Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (Audio CD)

People who think Debussy wrote only two great works (La Mer & Clair de lune) should hear this breathtaking oratorio. It has evrything in it-- Ectstasy, mysticism, gorgeous arias for soprano, elegant, dramatic yet peaceful narration in perfect French, colorful orchestration. This is Debussy at his most religious. Even if you do not care about the topic of Martyrdom, etc, you should hear it for the beauty of this music. There is not a single second of uninteresting music here.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great interpretation of a rarity, May 15, 2001

By 

Ytzan "Yannis" (Athens, GR) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Claude Debussy: Le Martyre de Saint Sébastien (Audio CD)

I've enjoyed this disc than everything I have heard in the last year or so. Michael Tilson Thomas is a great conductor indeed - the best of his generetion along with Sir Simon. His orchestra - the LSO - is at top form, the soloists are magnificent and it's beyond any doubt that you can not find a match for this piece. Most of the times there are some passages as a fill-ups in some Debussy discs ( Baremboim's account on DG is one of them) but there is so much more to that music. A joyful experience. A must for any classical music lover.