Another marvellous Märkl moment

The magical sounds conjured up by Jun Märkl and his stunning orchestra seduce the ear with Debussy's concertante music.

Composer: Debussy
Repertoire:  Fantaisie for Piano and Orchestra, Clarinet Rhapsody, Saxophone Rhapsody, Two Dances for Harp and Strings
Artists: Jean-Yves Thibaudet (pf), Emmanuel Ceysson (hp), Alexandre Doisy (sax), Paul Meyer (cl), Lyon National Orchestra/ Jun Märkl
Rating:  4/5
Genre: Orchestral
Label:  NAXOS 8.572675


The Music: Although rarely encountered in concert, Debussy’s concertante music is intoxicatingly perfumed, exchanging the virtuoso histrionics of the Liszt tradition for an alluring sensuality.


The Performances:  Jean-Yves Thibaudet is rather closely balanced in the Piano Fantaisie, although he is on commanding form, while Paul Meyer’s dreamy phrasing proves unfailingly seductive in the Clarinet Rhapsody, even if he too is a shade close. Finest of all are the two harp dances, which shimmer iridescently.


The Verdict: Another artistic triumph from Märkl and his distinguished soloists, although ideally Debussy’s solo lines should weave more discreetly in and out of the orchestral textures.

Want More? Märkl’s remarkable Debussy series for Naxos opened with a stunningly evocative version of La Mer
 (Naxos, 8.570759).