Customer Reviews

French Clarinet Art

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Paul Meyer is an excellent clarinetist, but when playing French music, superlatives are exhausted. Here he is at his most delicate, and his lightness of touch is something to behold. The Debussy Premier Rhapsody especially is gorgeous. Undoubtably one of the most musical payers out there today, I feel that this recording is one of Meyer's very best. It should be essential listening for any clarinetist, and includes a nice array of works from the canon, and those slightly less well known. One of the most listened to recordings in my library.

I just bought this CD in the last 6 months and there is some absolutely BEAUTIFUL interpretations of the glorious music. Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie is gorgeous with just the right amount of vibrato. I'm not sure about his use of vibrato in other parts of the recordings but it works particularly well here.

The Poulenc sonata is also a highlight for me - the second movement sends shivers up my spine!

My only gripe would be the speeds of the Saint Saens sonata. I think he has taken a rather ambitious tempo for the 1st and 2nd movements (particularly the 2nd) which I think loses some of the charm of the individual notes (makes the triplets sound a bit of a farce!) The last movement is crazy but ultimately appropriate I think.

Overall, I think that Paul Meyer's interpretation of the music his country has contributed to the classical genre is admirable and Eric Le Sage does much to complement his playing. I would recommend it as the cd to buy if you're looking for a recording of Debussy's Premiere Rhapsodie - I would've bought the CD for that alone.

Although Meyer's tone on this particular CD may come near to matching Harold Wright's, his interpretation of the Saint-Saens is replete with musical fallacies, the most obvious of which is the inappropriately brisk tempo. The Saint-Saens particularly vexed me; the first mvt. (Allegretto), in which he hastily stumbled through important phrases such as the d to high d short passage. The tonguing passages were almost stridently quick.
For an excellent recording of the Saint-Saens, I would recommend Janet Hilton. Her tone is just as French-sounding as Meyer's, and possibly more so. Her recording of the Poulenc Sonata is just as amazing.

This recording is really great. I really love Paul Meyer's playing. The Debussy Rhapsodie is by far the best I've ever heard (including seeing Sabine Meyer do it live!). At times, he tends to go a little too fast (the 4th movement of the Saint-Saens is particularly speedy). He does it well, but there is something to be said for relaxing just a bit... Regardless, the pieces represent a variety of styles, and all are executed very nicely.

Was looking for a new recording of some French clarinet music. Looked through the list of many such recordings and found this. Wow, this clarinet player can play. His rendition of the Poulanc is remarkable to hear. If you like this sort of music, this is one of the disks to own. Also a good clean sounding disk. When I ripped this into iTunes, the song list ended up in Japanese so I did have to recreate the list in english.

i purchased this cd to listen to some of the french pieces that i was preparing for recital. i think that it is quite valuable to listen to performers of the nationality of the composer which they are playing. (hearing a german clarinetist play hindemith, or a french organist playing franck)

i am constantly amazed by paul meyer's playing. his technique is flawless and every phrased is nuanced and beautiful. the accompanist is marvelous, complementing paul in every way. he stands his own in the sonatas for clarinet AND PIANO.

whether you are a clarinetist, a lover of clarinet music, or an appreciator of beautiful music--you will fall in love with the charm and beauty found in the musical language of the french and the expertise of this french clarinet artist.

i highly recommend this album.

Some musical interpretations are questionable; others are delightful. Upper register very strident. I found the fast tonguing on the SECOND movement of the Saint-Saens Sonata to be very impressive and not musically objectionable. The altissimo is definitely in-your-face, though; a no-no in my tonal concept.

So many "fast notes" - and no music at all. If you really love music - never listen it. "To play fast" does not mean "to play good", and this one considering the thesis. Worst of all is Saent Saens, the best music i ever heard (and played) - this performance can really make a heart attack. "French sound" on a so light reed? With such a small dynamics? And, finally, what the heck happened with a Poulenc? Why these guys thought Poulenc are they and made "edition" of Sonata? Awful. Learn more, guys. :(