Stravinsky: Petrushka; Debussy: Jeux, Prélude

Klaus Mäkelä, Orchestre De Paris

Released on 08-03-2024 by Decca Music Group Ltd.
Main artists: Orchestre de Paris Klaus Mäkelä
Genre: Klassiek

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Conductor Klaus Mäkelä was already surrounded by heavy publicity, and his elevation to the music directorship of the Chicago Symphony has only intensified it. Curious listeners haven't had a lot of recordings to choose from; there is some Sibelius and a pair of early Stravinsky recordings with the Orchestre de Paris, of which this 2024 release is the second. Perhaps it was listener curiosity that propelled this recording onto classical best-seller lists in the spring of that year. What listeners get may not be what they expect from the charismatic young conductor; these are fairly low-key recordings of Stravinsky and Debussy. The good news is that concern over Mäkelä possibly being overextended with all his high-profile assignments (he is also set to take over the Concertgebouw Orchestra of Amsterdam) may be misplaced; the Orchestre de Paris plays as if Mäkelä had been on its podium for 30 years. In Stravinsky's Petrushka and especially in Debussy's subtle, rhythmically difficult ballet Jeux (1912), the orchestra is perfectly coordinated and sharp, and Mäkelä wisely chooses the slimmed-down 1947 version of Petrushka, which fits his style. On the other hand, this is definitely low-key Stravinsky, and listeners should sample to see whether it accords with their tastes. The sharp Russian dance rhythms are taken straightforwardly, and even the strictest prude would be hard-pressed to object to the level of eroticism in Debussy's Prelude à l'après-midi d'un faune. Yet again, however, the opening of that piece is magical, with the solo flute seeming to hang in the air. It is not clear how Mäkelä achieved this effect; seating placement may have had something to do with it, but one may be thankful that he did. One awaits further early 20th century music from this wunderkind, but at this point, it is already clear that his ability to control musicians twice or three times his age is not in question.

© James Manheim /TiVo

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Stravinsky: Petrushka; Debussy: Jeux, Prélude

Orchestre de Paris

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Petrushka, K12 (1947 Version) (Igor Stravinsky)

Ia. The Shrovetide Fair – The Crowds – The Conjuring-Trick

00:07:36

Igor Stravinsky, Composer - Arne Akselberg, Recording Engineer, StudioPersonnel - Orchestre De Paris, Orchestra, MainArtist - Jørn Pedersen, Producer, Recording Producer - Dominic Fyfe, Producer, Executive Producer - Klaus Mäkelä, Conductor, MainArtist