D058 CD Bizet: Incidental Music "L'Arlésienne" - Complete - Orchestre National du Capitole de Toulouse & Chorus ★★★ Condition: New, Unopened Time: 52 minutes Performed by: Orchestre Municipal de Toulouse & Chorus Conducted by: Michel Plasson Recorded: July 1985, Halle aux Grains (Hall), Toulouse This work is a valuable recording by Michel Plasson, who re-examined the original score of "L'Arlésienne." The familiar melodies from the suites are heard here in chorus, and Bizet's exquisite scene descriptions appear throughout the work. This is a piece where you can appreciate the original form as incidental music. ★★★ Quoted from web reviews below, please refer to them ① Once you listen to this wonderful complete version, you'll honestly wonder, "What is the suite version anyway?" "L'Arlésienne" is originally a tragedy, but the suite version ends with a flourish with "Farandole." Until now, I thought that was normal, but once you listen to the "Finale" like an opera finale, you won't want to listen to the suite version at all. Only after listening to this complete version did I deeply feel the mother's and the old servant's lamentations for Frédéric's death. I'll say it again! What is the suite version anyway! ② You know, this is a reproduction of the original score of "L'Arlésienne," a valuable sound source with universal value that allows you to enjoy the atmosphere of this piece as incidental music. This CD recording first appeared in 1989, and the product description says: "The original version of "L'Arlésienne" is probably the first appearance on CD. The melodies and phrases we are used to hearing in the suite change completely and have a fresh sound, heard in chorus and chamber ensemble. The performance is also very atmospheric, and the warmth of the south of France is very good." (As is) ③ Unbelievable that Bizet's famous "Farandole" from "L'Arlésienne" had a chorus! This is a performance based on the 1872 premiere version, and it seems to reproduce the performance by the 27 orchestra members at the premiere. We are made to listen to music as if it were arranged from the "L'Arlésienne" suite version we are always used to hearing. However, even so, the recording time on this CD seems too short. Something else should have been recorded from Plasson's other performances with the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse.