Image: ©️ Sim Canetty-Clarke
John Wilson and the renewed Sinfonia of London released their debut album in September 2019, featuring outstanding performances of Korngold’s Symphony in F-Sharp Minor and Straussiana. This follow up recording of French orchestral works, both well-established masterpieces and music deserving greater recognition, is just as enthralling, and in some ways an even greater achievement.
The selections are thoughtfully arranged to reveal some unexpected similarities between the composers and their music. Two examples in Ibert’s “Escales” are of particularly interest: in the first movement (“Rome-Palerme”, track 7, especially from 1’00”) Ibert’s writing seems cut from the cloth of Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloe, while the last moments of the final movement (“Valence”, track 9, 4’30”) continually grows in complexity until the music seems to implode, just like Ravel’s La Valse. Nevertheless, Ibert has his own distinctive voice and these performances allow that voice to be fully heard.
The program opens with a riveting performance of Chabrier’s “España”, played with joyous panache and luscious orchestral sound. In comparative listening, my previous go-to performance featuring Karajan and his Berliners now seems heavy and languorous, overly focused on richness of color at the expense of rhythmic energy.
Duruflé’s Trois Danses are next, and they are a revelation, delightful from first bar to last. Wilson and his orchestra clearly relish this music, fully capturing every shift in mood and color. In the Divertissement (track 2) listen to how masterfully Wilson and his players build the climax (starting at 4’40”) and revel in the gorgeous woodwind playing in Danse lente (track 3). More impressive still is the performance of Tambourin (track 4), bassoons beginning with an impish playfulness that leads into a frenzied dance as the music tosses the theme from woodwinds to brass to strings. There is never a sense of routine in the playing, nor does it ever sound like a mere run through of music that is surely unknown to most of the players. This is a vast improvement over Duruflé’s own performance, conducting a seemingly disinterested Orchestre National de L’ORTF.
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Saint-Saëns’ “Le Rouet d’Omphale” and Massenet’s “Méditation from ‘Thaïs’” are especially gratifying, in large part because Wilson and his orchestra respect these pieces, giving them a level of preparation and commitment that fully reveals the beauty and drama of each piece. The Massenet especially is so often performed in a cloying and sentimental manner: here, by carefully following each dynamic and articulation mark in the score, Wilson and soloist Andrew Haverson ensure that it speaks with a simple beauty that is profoundly touching.
Debbusy’s “Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune” is ravishing. Glenn Gould once described Karajan as the perfect Debussy conductor, because he believed the conductor found the perfect balance of fire and ice in Debussy’s music. Gould would surely say the same of Wilson, who leads a performance that convincingly balances the fragile beauty and fulsome passion of this work.
The recording ends with a magnificent performance of Ravels’ Rhapsodie Espagnole, and indeed, the overall excellence of this entire album reminded me of the first recordings of Ravel that Dutoit and the Orchestre Symphonique de Montréal made for Decca in the 1980s. There is a similar chemistry at work, where the conductor and orchestra seem to be of one mind. And like those famous Decca recordings, the sound of this new album is stupendous – sumptuous yet clear, with a wide soundstage and great front to back perspective.
While still early in the year, it is easy to imagine this will be one of my top five recordings for the year. I was excited to read that further recordings are planned over the coming months. Long may this partnership continue – urgently recommended.
“Escales” – French Orchestral Works
Chabrier – España
Duruflé – Trois Danses, Op. 6
Saint-Saëns – Le Rouet d’Omphale, Op. 31
Debussy – Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune
Ibert – Escales…
Massenet – Méditation from ‘Thaïs’
Ravel – Rapsodie espagnole
Sinfonia of London
John Willson – Conductor
Chandos Records, Hybrid SACD CHSA 5252
Recommended Comparisons
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