French Impressions

1. Danse sacreé, for harp & string orchestra, L. 103/1 Danse Sacrée
Composed by Claude Debussy
with Pal Banda , Fenella Barton , Bridget Crouch , Yuko Inoue , Duncan McTier , Susie Meszaros , Elisabeth Perry , Melissa Phelps , Prometheus Ensemble , Caryl Thomas , Clare Thompson

2. Danse profane, for harp & string orchestra, L. 103/2 Danse Profane
Composed by Claude Debussy
with Pal Banda , Fenella Barton , Bridget Crouch , Yuko Inoue , Duncan McTier , Susie Meszaros , Elisabeth Perry , Melissa Phelps , Prometheus Ensemble , Caryl Thomas , Clare Thompson

3. Sonate en trio for flute, viola, & harp, L. 137
Composed by Claude Debussy
with Richard Blake , Yuko Inoue , Prometheus Ensemble , Caryl Thomas

4. Introduction & Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, & string quartet
Composed by Maurice Ravel
with Richard Blake , Christopher Craker , Yuko Inoue , Susie Meszaros , Elisabeth Perry , Melissa Phelps , Prometheus Ensemble , Caryl Thomas

5. Sérénade for flute, violin, viola, cello, & harp, Op. 30
Composed by Albert Roussel
with Richard Blake , Yuko Inoue , Elisabeth Perry , Melissa Phelps , Prometheus Ensemble , Caryl Thomas

French Impressions,Melissa Phelps,Pal Banda,Christopher Craker,Claude Debussy,Maurice Ravel,Albert Roussel,Duncan McTier,Prometheus Ensemble,Richard Blake,Caryl Thomas,Bridget Crouch,Yuko Inoue,Clare Thompson,Elisabeth Perry,Fenella Barton,Susie Meszaros,Asv Living Era,20th/21st Century Orchestral Music,Chamber,Chamber Music,Classical,Music for String Quartet with Other Instrument(s),Orchestral,Trio for Mixed Instruments without Keyboard

Average customer rating: Raises the bar for guitarists Five stars, but would give a constellation! Only 4 Stars! Whoah!

Paul Galbraith: French Impressions Manufacturer: Delos International ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Etudes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Preludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Character Pieces | Short Forms | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Chamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Galbraith, Paul | ( G ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Paul Galbraith Plays Haydn Bach: The Six Sonatas and Partitas In Every Lake the Moon Shines Full Renaissance Favorites for Guitar Bach: Lute Suites (Guitar Arrangement)/ Galbraith ASIN: B000F1HWBE Release Date: 2006-03-28

Tracks:

1. Prelude 'La Fille Aux Cheveux De Lin'
2. Doctor Gradus Ad Parnassum
3. Jimbo's Lullaby
4. Serenade Of The Doll
5. The Snow Is Dancing
6. Little Shepherd
7. Golliwogg's Cakewalk
8. Page D'album
9. Etude 'Pour Les Notes Repetees'
10. Elegie
11. Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte
12. A La Maniere D...Borodine (Valse)
13. Prelude
14. Pavane De La Belle Au Bois Dormant
15. Petit Poucet
16. Laideronnette, Imperatrice Des Pagodes
17. Les Entretiens De La Belle Et De La Bete
18. Le Jardin Feerique
19. Menuet Sur Le Nom D'Hayden

Customer Reviews:

Raises the bar for guitarists.......2007-04-21

This album is an astonishing achievement.

Up to now I hadn't believed that one guitar could do justice to the music of Debussy and Ravel, although I've heard some good arrangements for two -- notably, Presti/Lagoya's stunning version of Clair de Lune. Mr Galbraith does in fact frequently sound like two people, for instance on Golliwogg's Cakewalk. The disc would be remarkable as a technical achievement alone, but in fact what strikes one first is the musicianship -- the technique seems effortless.

This is one of the best-engineered guitar recordings I've heard, too, especially with regard to clarity and dynamic range. The acoustic, slightly reverberant, is just right (in fact, the fidelity is so good that it picks up a few moments of asthmatic breathing, but this is not obtrusive).

I must also commend the informative and entertaining notes, wherein the performer ponders his chances of getting even a slight word of praise from either of the composers, were they still alive.

The one piece that still doesn't really work for me is Pavane pour une infante défunte, which the guitar's lack of sustain reduces to a plod, despite Mr Galbraith's best efforts. I'll stick to the composer's orchestration.

That said, this is one of the best guitar releases of recent years. And I must second the comment of another reviewer -- don't try to listen to it in the car!

Five stars, but would give a constellation!.......2007-02-01

My guess would be that the reviewer who who gave 4 stars would feel differently by now. I liked the album at first, but like that reviewer wouldn't have raved as much as for the Haydn and Bach.

Now, however, I have found the depth and complexity of this music to have come out. It doesn't hurt that I recently saw Galbraith play Ravel's "Le Jardin Feerique" to help me "get" it. Now, I find some of the pieces on this album to be some of the most deeply moving music I've ever heard on the guitar, and it is some of the best music I've heard, period. There is such a sense of repose, it would seem wonderful music for film. The true feeling of impressionism comes through.

If you are only listening to this in your car, there are too many subtleties that you'd miss. Wear headphones and enjoy. This is a masterwork, probably one of my 5 favorite classical CD's of all time- I have hundreds and hundreds and adore most of them.

Only 4 Stars!.......2006-08-28

Beautifully played and deeply felt arrangements of a selection of Debussy and Ravels piano works for the 8 string guitar which sound and feel very much at home on this instrument.

Despite the variety of pieces the CD has an organic unity, a clear line running through the collection, thanks to Mr. Galbraith's affirming sense of meter and masterful handling of rhythmic structures.

The performances are reserved, intelligent and nearly every expectation is fulfilled; Debussy and Ravel sound like composers one has always wished them to be.

The very much radical and often challenging interpretations in Mr. Galbraith's earlier recordings - especially the truly enigmatic recording of Haydn sonatas - and the difficulties with which they confronted the listener, seem now to be a thing of the past.

This might be a good thing for some but, after such a long wait, for this listener it is a deep disappointment.

I very much hope that Mr. Galbraith will again carry on (or be allowed to carry on) where he left off several years ago in recording his Bach and Haydn Cds.

Whoah! .......2006-07-20

No reviews for this CD? I can't believe it where is everyone this collection is amazing.

Average customer rating: The best Jazz - Record I have ever heard

The French Collection: Jazz Impressions of Debussy, Faure, Ravel, Poulenc, & Satie Fred Hersch , Eddie Daniels , and Kevin Eubanks Manufacturer: Capitol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Bebop General | Bebop | Jazz | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music Modern Postbebop | Jazz | Styles | Music Bebop & Post-Bop | Compilations | Jazz | Styles | Music ASIN: B000008B8L Release Date: 1990-06-01

Customer Reviews:

The best Jazz - Record I have ever heard.......2006-03-20

The romantic French Music of Poulenc, Satie, Debussy, Fauré and Ravel is one of the most important roots of Jazz Music. The different and smooth-changing colours of sounds are very next to the Jazz improvisations and harmonizations. Fred Hersch is one of the best contemporary Jazz-pianists and he perfectly mangages it to perform inspiring "New American interpretations of older French Music", as this CD could be subtitled.

The titles on the CD are sometimes a bit melancholic, mostly introspective, but sometimes there are valses and ballades as if you could dance to it. There is an extraordinary spectrum of moods and intelligent interpretations. Some of the pieces of music are performed with the outstanding Toots Thilemans on the harmonica - an instrument which perfectly fits to the "French atmosphere". The contributions of Eddie Daniels (clarinet), Kevin Eubanks (guitar) and James Newton (flute) are gorgeous as well.

All titles can be rated with five stars. There is definitely no "poor title" among them. The classical character of the pieces of music is respected at any time.

I heared this CD first in June 1989 (even before it has been released in June 1990) on Willis Conover's "House of sounds" on the Voice of America (VoA Europe). I have been searching for this CD (which has not been avaible in any CD-shop in Europe) for more than 15 years, only owning a cassette tape of the VoA-broadcast. As a Jazz-fan I am glad to have been finding it at amazon.com in 2005. I am astonished that there is only a secondary market for this excellent CD.

My recommendation: "Strong Buy". "The French Collection" is even better than the Fred Hersch CD "Jazz Impressions of Russian Composers", released on the label EMI USA (Series "Red Square Blue").

Average customer rating:

First Impressions Manufacturer: M.I.L. Multimedia ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music Electronica | Dance & DJ | Styles | Music General | Jazz | Styles | Music General | New Age | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music New Age | Indie Music | Stores | Music | Ambient | Celtic | Environmental | General | International | Jazz | Meditation Music | Piano | World Dance Electronica | Dance & DJ | Indie Music | Stores | Music General | Jazz | Indie Music | Stores | Music ASIN: B00000IKA0 Release Date: 1999-03-16

Tracks:

1. Daydreams
2. May 9, 1945
3. Elegy French Suite (4-6)
4. A Paris Thing
5. Homage to Amour
6. Cycles
7. Liora
8. Quietude
9. Miracle At Midnight
10. Like A Child

Average customer rating:

French Impressions Pommier/Ns Manufacturer: Virgin Records Us ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000DNZH Release Date: 1992-09-23

Average customer rating: Queen of the King of Instruments. Fire and Passion Excellent Recording A Soul Stirring Performance on the King of Instruments

Romantic French & German Organ Music Manufacturer: Koch Int'l Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Dupré, Marcel | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Karg-Elert, Sigfrid | ( K ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Reger, Max | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Toccatas | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Reger, Max | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Organ | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Noels | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General Christmas | Holiday | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music General Christmas | Holiday Music | Special Features | Music ASIN: B000001SD5 Release Date: 1995-01-25

Tracks:

1. Toccata
2. Trois Impressions, Op.72: Harmonies du Soir
3. Trois Impressions, Op.72: Claire de Lune
4. Variations sur un Noel, Op.20
5. Pieces de Fantasie, Op.55: Naiades
6. Triptyque, Op.58, No.3: Stele pour un Enfant defunt
7. Pieces de Fantasie, Op.54: Carillon de Westminister
8. Trois Improvisations: Meditation
9. Toccata and Fugue in d, Op.59
10. Resurrection

Customer Reviews:

Queen of the King of Instruments........2004-07-13

Dr. Marsha Long has traveled the world playing the great pipe organs of in some of the greatest cathedrals and concert halls.
(see www.marshalong.com) In this recording she shows the power of the pipe organ at St. John the Divine in NYC. Unfortunately this remarkable instrument was damaged in a fire a few years after this recording was made. This CD has the added historical value of showing the marvelous instrument at its peak. In listening to this CD I found myself enraptured by the music and transported in my imagination to that great Cathedral which I often visit on my trips to New York. The music is haunting and demonstrates why the pipe organ has held such a pre-eminent place in Christian worship. It is little wonder that this artist has such a loyal fan following.

Fire and Passion.......2004-07-12

Dr. Long is one of the few organists in this country that really understands this music. Kock or somebody should put this back in print.

Excellent Recording.......2004-01-10

Dr. Long plays superbly in the grand acoustics of the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. This recording showcases to great effect the power and majesty of the organ. It also contrasts the dynamic range possible from the instrument -- especially from in the Dupre "Resurrection" -- which starts out very softly and builds to full organ with the famous State Trumpets added at the end.

A Soul Stirring Performance on the King of Instruments.......2000-02-03

Dr. Long's CD desplays dazzling virtuosity and a profound understanding of the music. Dr. Long's talent matches the power and complexity of St. John the Divine's Skinner/Harrison organ. The Joseph Jongen complex Toccata begins the CD and is played cleanly and exhuberantly. Every succeeding piece on the CD reveals a different facet of the organ's capability and the artistry of Dr. Long. Sigfrid Karg-Elert's Harmonics du Soir and Claire du Lune are tranquil and reverently performed. Vierne's Stele pour en Enfant Defunt, the tombstone of a dead child, was the last piece the Vierne ever performed. It is a fitting piece of music for all the children of the world who have died young. Vierne's joyous Carillon of Westminister immediately follows and demonstrates that this CD is about life and faith. Max Reger's Toccata and Fugue in d. Minor and Marcel Dupre's Resurrection bring the CD to a stirring conclusion. Listening to such music so flawlessly performed should make the listener proud to be human. In a world filled with ugliness, the beauty here helps restore our faith in humanity and perhaps can even stir in the listener a longing for God. The atmosphere of the great Cathedral of St. John the Divine is meant to do just that and this CD captures that spirit perfectly. Also, audio-files will have their sub-woffers and woffers fully tested as the great bass sounds rumble from the great organ.

Average customer rating:

Convergence Manufacturer: Klavier ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Daugherty, Michael | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Grainger | Grainger, Percy Aldridge | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Hindemith | Hindemith, Paul | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Wedding Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Marches | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music General | Pop | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Classic Big Band | Swing Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music Classical | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rendezvous Dialogues & Entertainments Symphonic Excursions Dream Catchers Bird Songs ASIN: B0000520C0 Release Date: 2000-10-01

Tracks:

1. Dzubay: Myaku (1999)
2. Tull: Concerto Grosso (1985)
3. Press/Johnston: Wedding Dance (1967)
4. Gryc: Masquerade Variations
5. Konzertante Overture
6. Sechs Variationen uber das Lied Prinz Eugen, der edle Ritter
7. Marsch
8. The Warriros (1916)

Average customer rating:

Canzonetta: Famous Violin Pieces Manufacturer: Curb Records ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Godard, Benjamin | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Gounod | Gounod, Charles | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Granados, Enrique | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Grieg, Edvard | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Smetana | Smetana, Bedrich | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Tchaikovsky | Tchaikovsky, Peter Ilyich | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Wieniawski | Wieniawski, Henri | ( W ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Concertos | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Guitar | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Violin | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B000000DKE Release Date: 1995-10-31

Tracks:

1. The Idyll 'A Summer Evening': Poem From the Idyll 'A Summer Evening' Op.41 Nr.6
2. Cansonetta Op.6
3. Chanson Triste
4. Allegro molto 2nd Movement from the Sonata for Violin & Piano in C Minor Op.45
5. 'Jocelyne': Berceuse from the Opera 'Jocelyne'
6. Cavatina in D Minor Op.85 Nr.3
7. Ave Maria, Meditation on the 1st Prelude by Johann Sebstian Bach
8. From the Homeland - Two Pieces for Violin & Piano: 1. Moderato
9. From the Homeland - Two Pieces for Violin & Piano: 2. Andantino - Allegro vivo
10. Romanze, 2nd Movement from the Violin Concerto No. 2 in D Minor Op. 22
11. Andaluza - Andalusian Dance
12. Serenade melancolique Op.26

Average customer rating:

French Impressions: Debussy / Faure / Satie / Pierne / Massenet / Saint-Saens Paul Tortelier , and English Chamber Orchestra Manufacturer: Atlantic / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B00000DP3L Release Date: 1989-05-12

Average customer rating:

French Flute Music Manufacturer: Bis ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Jolivet, André | ( J ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Flute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00000169A Release Date: 1994-09-22

Tracks:

1. Andante Pastorale
2. Scherzettino
3. Moderato
4. Allegro Vivace
5. Andantino
6. Final. Vivace
7. La Fontaine De La Ville Medicis
8. La Petite Nymphe De Diane
9. Le Danse D'Elke
10. Reverie
11. Petite Valse
12. Chant De Linos
13. Syrinx
14. Bergere Captive
15. Jade
16. Toan-Yan (La Fete Du Double-Cinq)
17. Pour Accueillir Les Negociateurs-Et Que L'Entrevue Soit Pacifique
18. Pour Que L'Enfant Qui Va Naitre Soit Un Fils
19. Pour Que La Moisson Soit Riche Qui Naitra Des Sillons Que Le Laboureur Trace
20. Pour Une Communion Sereine De L'Etre Avec Le Monde
21. Aux Funerailles Du Chef-Pour Obtenir La Protection De Son Ame

Amazon.com

The style of this music ranges from the easy late Romanticism of Widor and Caplet to the relatively challenging modern idiom of Jolivet. I like Jolivet best. His five incantations for unaccompanied flute are mesmerizing, and his Chant de Linos shows how to be lyrical within a mid-20th-century idiom. By comparison, the music by Taffanel, Bozza, and the others is lightweight entertainment, although mostly charming. Robert Aitken also plays Debussy's Syrinx, three minutes of unaccompanied flute magic, and for once he plays it slowly enough for the languorous atmosphere to come across. Actually, he plays everything well, and in the accompanied works Robin McCabe provides strong collaboration. --Leslie Gerber

Average customer rating: Music is wonderful....misleading and terrible liner notes Very low Price but great recodrding!

Saint-Saëns Plays Saint-Saëns & Hofmann Plays Hofmann Manufacturer: Delta ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Mazurkas | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Nonets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music General | Saint-Saëns, Camille | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Romances | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music General | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music French | Languages | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music ASIN: B000001VJC Release Date: 1995-05-16

Tracks:

1. Samson And Dalilah - Improvisation
2. Mazurka, Op. 66
3. Valse Mignonne
4. Mazurka In G, Op. 21
5. Valse Nonchalante
6. Impromptu In F Sharp Minor, Op. 36
7. Nocture (Complaint) 'Mignonette's: Nocture (Complaint) 'Mignonette's
8. Le Sanctuary
9. Kaleidoscope, Op. 40-4
10. Berceuse
11. Etude For The Left Hand

Customer Reviews:

Music is wonderful....misleading and terrible liner notes.......2005-07-22

These performances are from piano rolls...although you wouldn't know it from anywhere on the title or literature included with the CD.

Not that I'm against piano rolls, I like hearing Saint-Saens playing in a crisp clear fashion. The Hofmann selections are also wonderful, but I believe also available elsewhere, such as on the Nimbus series featuring piano rolls.

I wouldn't pay the high price listed here...apparently it's out of print. I believe I found it used for a reasonable price.

To sum up: piano roll performances, sound great, wonderful historical documents, don't pay too much though because you can probably find these performances elsewhere.

Very low Price but great recodrding!.......2001-12-14

Good Cd for a very low price. Although Laserlight is not comparable to Grammophone, Decca,RCA or Phlips one gets a good set of recordings. The sound was excellently captured. With the composers playing it themselves, this is a steal and defenitely should not be overlooked.

Music Review:

1. Giovanni Bottesini: The Virtuoso Double-Bass
2. Grieg: Symphonic Dances; Sigurd Jorsalfar; Lyric Suite
3. Grieg, Tchaikovsky, Pierné: Piano Concertos
4. Holst: The Planets; St. Paul's Suite; A Fugal Overture
5. Jascha Heifetz, The Early Victor Recordings 1917-1918
6. Johan Julius Christian Sibelius: Violin Concerto (2 versions); The Tempest
7. Koussevitzky conducts Hanson Symphony No. 3
8. Krommer: Concerto for clarinet in Ef; Crusell: Concerto for clarinet in Ef
9. Landowska Plays Bach
10. Marc-Antoine Charpentier: Neuf Leçons De Tenebres

Music Review

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Citizen X