Albert Roussel: Symphonie Nos. 3 & 4, Bacchus & Ariane, Suite

Featuring

Paul Paray
Leonard Bernstein
André Cluytens
Herbert von Karajan
Detroit Symphony Orchestra
New York Philharmonic

Orchestre de la Société des Concerts du Conservatoire de Paris
Philharmonia Orchestra
Albert Roussel

Did you know?

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Composition History

Roussel's Symphony No. 3 in G minor was commissioned by Serge Koussevitzky to celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the Boston Symphony Orchestra.

Recording & Production

This album features recordings from various locations and dates, including Detroit in 1957, New York City in 1961, Paris in 1963, and London in 1949.

Performer Biography

Leonard Bernstein, one of the first American-born and educated conductors to achieve worldwide acclaim, was music director of the New York Philharmonic and composed for works like West Side Story.

Critical Reception

At the time of this recording, Albert Roussel was considered one of the great contemporary composers, though his prominence has since faded compared to Ravel and Debussy.

Performer Biography

Herbert von Karajan, an Austrian conductor, was the principal conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic for 35 years and is considered one of the greatest conductors of the 20th century.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Roussel's early musical education under d'Indy at the Schola Cantorum initially aligned him with conservatism, but he later experimented with Impressionism.

Composer Biography

Albert Roussel, though a contemporary of Debussy and Ravel, came to music late, retiring from the navy and beginning professional studies at age twenty-five.