Debussy, Ravel & Falla

Featuring

Constantin Silvestri
Sylvie Mercier
Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra
Claude Debussy
Maurice Ravel
Manuel de Falla

Did you know?

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Performer Biography

Constantin Silvestri, the conductor on this album, was born in Romania in 1913 and had a formidable reputation in his home country.

Composer's Artistic Vision

Constantin Silvestri, the conductor, was also a composer in Romania, described as an 'advanced and alone' avant-gardist with an effervescent imagination and flair for color and rubato.

Performer Biography

Sylvie Mercier, the pianist on this album, was a gifted young musician who was also a painter and photographer, born in 1934.

Interpretation

Constantin Silvestri, the conductor, was known for his ability to thin out orchestral textures to highlight colors and create a 'distinctively physical Mediterranean feeling' in works like Falla's music.

Performer Biography

Constantin Silvestri became the Music Director of the Bournemouth Symphony Orchestra in 1961, surprising many as its reputation could not compete with world-class ensembles he had previously conducted.

Historical Context

Constantin Silvestri, the conductor, emigrated to the West at the end of 1958 due to the Romanian Communist government's interference with artistic works, despite being awarded 'People's Artist'.

Interpretation

Constantin Silvestri was known for his demanding rehearsal methods, sometimes conducting 15 hours for a concert and focusing on infinitesimal details until they were 'totally perfect'.