Milhaud: The Complete Symphonies (Box Set) [Box set]

Darius Milhaud (Composer), Alun Francis (Conductor), Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Alun Francis
• Composer: Darius Milhaud
• Audio CD (April 11, 2000)
• Number of Discs: 5
• Format: Box set
• Note on Boxed Sets: During shipping, discs in boxed sets occasionally become dislodged without damage. Please examine and play these discs. If you are not completely satisfied, we'll refund or replace your purchase.
• Label: Cpo Records
• ASIN: B00004SH7J
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #37,490 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

34 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A much needed set!, August 31, 2000

By 

J. Anderson (Monterey, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milhaud: The Complete Symphonies (Box Set) (Audio CD)

This set of five CDs fills a long standing need for a modern version of Milhaud's symphonies. It is easy to think of Darius Milhaud as primarily a miniaturist, and it is true that he resisted the symphonic form for a good part of his vast and surpassingly fecund compositional life (the first Symphony is marked Opus 210!), but this fine series of recordings gives that notion the boot. Meticulously prepared and recorded -the sound is superb!- the Basel Radio Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Alun Francis does Milhaud homage, and gives us a convincing look at these neglected works. The first four symphonies seem the weakest of the lot, a bit overly martial, and the horns have plenty to do, sometimes seeming much ado about nothing. As Milhaud assimilates the symphonic form, however, he naturally conquers it, producing, frankly, some of the most beautiful music around. Nos. 7, 11, & 12 are especially fine. You'll find no Germanic grappling in these works, indeed the smile of Provence is all over them. Milhaud's grasp of the symphonic form is mature and all-encompassing, yet employing such uncanny orchestration that one never loses the sense of hearing fine chamber music. Absolutely delightful. I'd not heard this orchestra before, and they're an impressive lot. If you don't know Darius Milhaud's music, perhaps some of his smaller pieces (even the marvelous songs!) are a better starting point, but these recordings won't disappoint even the unacquainted. If you already know and appreciate Milhaud's cast of mind, what are you waiting for!

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Spirited Performances, August 3, 2005

By 

D. A Wend (Arlington Heights, IL USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Milhaud: The Complete Symphonies (Box Set) (Audio CD)

One forgets that Darius Milhaud was such a prolific composer (his catalog of compositions goes out to 441 opus numbers) and that he wrote 12 symphonies. Outside of Camille Saint Saens and Albert Roussel there have been few French composers who have been attracted to the symphonic form. The symphonies or Darius Milhaud are characterized by their impressionism and dedication to the traditional symphonic structure. Those written with three movements mimic the older sinfonia form of Alessandro Scarlatti. Each work has an individual voice.

The First Symphony was written at the start of the Second World War and has an immediate appeal with a strong pastoral melody that continues to develop and unfold during the movement. This is followed by an engaging scherzo and a moody slow movement that seems to float along, as if describing the sea. The final movement returns to the carefree mood of the first movement. The Fourth Symphony commemorated the Revolution of 1848 and was written in the United States where Milhaud was living. Each of the four movements describes an event: the insurrection, the dead of the Republic, the joys of Liberty and Commemoration 1948. The Fourth is a very straightforward symphony whose depictions are easy to understand and enjoy.

The Second Symphony was a commission from the Koussevitzky Foundation in 1944 and premiered in Boston in 1946. Cast in 5 movements, the symphony slowly builds from the peaceful first movement to the third movement (a kind of funeral march) with a fanfare played by the brass that shatters the peaceful mood. The fourth movement returns to the quietly reflective mood of the first two and the final movement is brilliant and exuberant. The Third Symphony was a departure for Milhaud - a symphony with chorus. The symphony bears the title Te Deum and begins with a jubilant fanfare followed by a remarkable second movement where the chorus sets the mood of the Te Deum singing a wordless accompaniment. The third movement is an exuberant short orchestral movement and the final movement brings in the chorus and orchestra in a glorious hymn of praise.

The Fifth Symphony was a commission from Italian Radio and is characteristic of Milhaud's linear symphonic structure. Although the symphony was written during a period of musical experimentation (in 1953) the music remains rooted in the French Impressionist style that makes Milhaud so recognizable. The composer stuck to the four movement pattern for his symphonies. The Sixth Symphony was written in 1955 for the 75th anniversary of the Boston Symphony. The Sixth differs from the Fifth by being more expansive; slower tempi with more shading. The melodies are more broken up than the more straightforward Fifth. Both symphonies contain marvelous melodies and complement each other with their energy and pastoral beauty.

Symphonies 7, 8 and 9 stand as a group, all of them composed during the 1950's and music where Milhaud gave more attention to the slow movements. This is apparent by looking at the timings themselves but as one listens to them. In the Seventh, the slow movement is characterized by choppy bit of melody from the orchestra over a grave melody played by the strings. The Eighth symphony is a depiction of the Rhone River as it travels through France. One immediately notices that the music is more astringent and the themes more broken. The slow movement sounds as if portraying the river at early morning when shrouded by mist and everything is viewed in the soft dawn light. The remaining movements are energetic and boisterous. The Ninth begins with a whimsical theme that quickly develops into an energetic short movement. The slow movement is ominous and melancholy but the mood breaks for the energetic final movement.

Symphonies 10 through 12 all date from the 1960's and all three had American commissions. These late symphonies have been termed neoclassical. The Tenth was commissioned for the 100th anniversary of the state of Oregon. It opens with the feel of a marching band in the use of snare drums and quick tempi to be followed by a quiet and reflective slow movement. The final movement is said to contain a theme based on the name Oregon. The Eleventh was commissioned by the Dallas Symphony Orchestra and Public Library and has a long meditative middle movement that has been interpreted as depicting the Dallas Public Library. The final movement is playful and boisterous. The Twelfth and final symphony was commissioned by the University of California at Davis. The symphony begins with a gentle pastoral theme that remains playful throughout the movement. The second movement has a march-like theme followed by a reflective slow movement. The final movement returns to the pastoral theme of the first movement and the symphony ends with a flourish.

The recordings come from the 1990's and each disc is in its own jewel case. The recording balance is superb and the Radio-Sinfonieorchester Basil, conducted by Alun Francis, play with real passion and commitment. These are highly interesting symphonies that deserve to be heard more often. Hopefully, this set will encourage their performance.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars You'll Be Surprised, October 10, 2001

By 

Eugene G. Barnes (Dunn Loring, VA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Milhaud: The Complete Symphonies (Box Set) (Audio CD)

Milhaud's harmonic language is complex and challenging, the Basel band is top-notch, and the recorded sound is superb, so you'll find yourself coming back time and again to this pleasant, fulfilling set. The attractive price (as of this writing) is a major lure, so don't wait.

If you've been finding yourself overly traumatized by the Mahler ethos, perhaps it's time to try the sunny transparency of these symphonies.