Escales: French Orchestral Works

Following a well received recording of Korngold's Symphony, John Wilson and Sinfonia of London turn their attention to French orchestral music from around the turn of the 20th century. Classics such as Chabrier's España and Debussy's Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune sit alongside rarely heard works including Duruflé's Trois Danses and Ibert's Escales.

Featuring

John Wilson
Sinfonia of London
Emmanuel Chabrier
Maurice Duruflé
Camille Saint-Saëns
Claude Debussy

Jacques Ibert
Jules Massenet
Maurice Ravel

Did you know?

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Composer's Artistic Vision

French composers had a natural gift for re-composing the music of Spain, exemplified by Ravel's Rapsodie espagnole, Chabrier's España, and Ibert's Escales... .

Compositional Technique

French composers often used shimmering divided strings, delicate percussion, harp colors, and low-set melodies on flute or cor anglais to create an impressionistic atmosphere.

Composer's Artistic Vision

The seven pieces on this album exhibit qualities of sound recognized as French, similar to the immediate awareness of 'Frenchness' in Renoir or Monet.

Recording & Production

The microphones used for this recording include hand-built Thuresson CM 402s, Schoeps MK22/MK4/MK6, DPA 4006 & 4011, and Neumann U89.

Recording & Production

This album was recorded using 24-bit / 96 kHz technology, which provides a dynamic range up to 48 dB greater and 256 times the resolution of standard 16-bit recordings.

Performer Biography

The Sinfonia of London, originally formed in 1955, was re-established in 2018 by British conductor John Wilson specifically for recording projects.

Recording & Production

The recording uses a 96 kHz sample rate, which can capture frequencies up to 48 kHz, based on the theory that higher frequencies, even if unheard, affect lower audible frequencies for better sound.