Roussel: Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 4; Bacchus et Ariane Suite No. 2; Sinfonietta

Roussel: Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 4; Bacchus et Ariane Suite No. 2; Sinfonietta

Neeme Järvi and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform some of Roussel’s greatest works on this well-planned disc. In the two symphonies, they particularly emphasise the dramatic power and rhythmic pungency of the music, but there is a wider expressive range than they find – perhaps the lack of body in the string sound is to blame. The Sinfonietta, scored for strings alone, has a better balance, while in Roussel’s masterpiece, the ballet Bacchus et Ariane, the committed playing achieves a magnificent sweep of intensity.

Our rating

4

Published: January 20, 2012 at 3:16 pm

COMPOSERS: Roussel
LABELS: Chandos
WORKS: Symphony No. 3; Symphony No. 4; Bacchus et Ariane Suite No. 2; Sinfonietta
PERFORMER: Detroit SO/Neeme Järvi
CATALOGUE NO: CHAN 7007 DDD (1991-92)

Neeme Järvi and the Detroit Symphony Orchestra perform some of Roussel’s greatest works on this well-planned disc. In the two symphonies, they particularly emphasise the dramatic power and rhythmic pungency of the music, but there is a wider expressive range than they find – perhaps the lack of body in the string sound is to blame. The Sinfonietta, scored for strings alone, has a better balance, while in Roussel’s masterpiece, the ballet Bacchus et Ariane, the committed playing achieves a magnificent sweep of intensity. The love scenes are both tender and intimate, while the dramatic force of the rhythmic music is most compelling. Terry Barfoot





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