Customer Reviews

D'Indy: Poeme Des Rivages, Diptyque Mediterraneen

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Vincent D'Indy (1851-1931) had a long life and career and is generally thought of as a late romantic composer. This very solid disc actually features two orchestral works, the four-movement "Poeme des rivages" (Poems of the shore) from 1921 and the shorter two-movement "Diptyque mediterranean" from 1926, that date from late in the musician's career. (The opus number of the latter work is mislabelled on the CD cover, by the way.) These are D'Indy's two last orchestral works, with the second one completed at the age of 75. I'd describe them as atmospheric descriptions of ocean and nature scenes, with limited thematic content but complex and highly-developed orchestration and use of tone colors. After being initially puzzled by the unexpected style, I soon realized the two were best approached as modernist music. So this is an interesting light on a composer who was reviled by younger composers for his artistic conservatism. It seems as if he changed his thinking somewhat in his later years.

That places the works chronologically and stylistically, but are they any good? I'd say yes to the "Poeme des rivages". The Poeme is weak from a melodic standpoint but rich in other ways, so I think the perspective of the listener is important. If you approach it expecting a big late romantic descriptive score with straightforward melodic content, you will be disappointed. If you approach it as an extension of Debussy's most adventurous orchestral scores (without some of Debussy's harmonic innovations), you will be rewarded. Personally, the more I've listened to this work, the more I've grown to appreciate it. Some of the music is just beautiful. Note that the last 2-3 minutes of the piece (track 4, "The Mystery of the Ocean") are maybe the strongest passage of the work. But be aware that this is difficult music. I believe the "Diptyque" is less successful and distinctive. It's opening strongly recalls the opening of Sibelius' "Swan of Tuonela". I found the pentatonic-ish main theme, used in both movements, to be a little hackneyed. The orchestration is however very fine, just as in the "Poeme".

Georges Pretre is an absolutely excellent conductor. Every time I listen to one of his discs, I am impressed by his musicality and sense of balance. The Monte Carlo Philharmonic isn't one of the world's premier orchestras - I'd like a little more tightness in the ensemble - but the woodwinds and brass play very well and the final product is satisfying and allows one to appreciate the subtle beauties of D'Indy's scores. The recorded sound is absolutely excellent. This is a committed, successful effort devoted to obscure music. Thank you to all involved.

A recommended disc for the sophisticated classical listener. If you're a fan of French 20th-century music, you'll absolutely want to hear it.

French EMI released 4 CDs of d'Indy's orchestral music, and whereas the new CHANDOS has great sound and I feel both versions worth investing in, I think the conducting is better in the French versions. Gamba's conducting on CHANDOS is a bit anonymous. If you don't know this music, which is far too seldom recorded, it's like a conservative version of impressionism and is really very accomplished.