D'Indy: Symphony No. 2 / Souvenirs

Vincent D'Indy (Composer), James DePreist (Conductor), Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Monte Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: James DePreist
• Composer: Vincent D'Indy
• Audio CD (June 20, 1995)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Koch Int'l Classics
• ASIN: B000001SHW
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #56,767 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, Op 57: Extremement lent

2. Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, Op 57: Moderement lent

3. Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, Op 57: Modere

4. Symphony No. 2 in B-flat major, Op 57: Lent

5. Souvenirs, Op 52: Poem for Orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Every revival disc should be done this well, November 8, 2011

By 

jt52 "jt52" (New Jersey) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: D'Indy: Symphony No. 2 / Souvenirs (Audio CD)

This excellent Koch release features two big early 20th-century pieces by the French composer, Vincent D'Indy (1851-1931). The performance and engineering on this disc are just outstanding. The American conductor James DePriest leads the Monte Carlo orchestra in an interpretation I'd describe as rich, warm and musical. The 1994 recording, done by the pre-eminent sound engineer, Tony Faulkner, is audiophile quality.

DePriest and the orchestra tackle two obscure pieces. The Symphony No. 2 dates from 1903 and was last recorded by Pierre Monteux a half century before in the early 1940s, so this effort represents the first modern effort. It is a long, four-movement work, generally slow, often dark. D'Indy for my tastes is a skilled and interesting composer but one who missed on that critical talent, the gift of writing memorable themes that grab you. The cyclical symphony (the same set of themes appear in each part of the work) doesn't overcome that lack of really intriguing melodies, although it builds nicely, with the conclusion of the long finale being the most enticing part of the work. But the symphonic poem "Souvenirs" (1906) is a different animal. I found it to be an effective, moving work with memorable music. Opening with a fifths-chord played by the winds, like the 3rd symphony by D'Indy's pupil Alberic Magnard, the work was a very personal one. "Souvenirs" should probably be translated as "memories," specifically of his wife, who had died recently. D'Indy clearly was devastated by the loss, which he expressed to his friends in letters, and poured his heart into "Souvenirs". Its recurring, plaintive main melody and its contrasting episodes, for me represented memories of his past life and present sorrow.

Despite my reservations about the 2nd symphony, the exceptional quality of the performance and engineering together with what was a very nice discovery for me in "Souvenirs" leads me to give this worthy release 5 stars.