Debussy: Clair de Lune, Stanley Black, London Symphony Orchestra, (Vinyl)

Great vinyl recording of Debussy's Clair de Lune performed by the London Symphony Orchestra; arranged and conducted by Stanley Black. It is an arrangement because Mr. Black adds a few countermelodies not found in the original piano score and takes a few liberties with the expression, but overall the final result is awesome and effective. Although there are many orchestrations of this piece (among them a well-known one by Stokowski) I particularly love this arrangement because the orchestra sounds large, but the interpretation is always slow and delicate (or let's say, never too loud, always within the boundaries and the mood that the title of the piece suggests). Also listen to the emphasis on the basses, and the subtle building of emotion achieved with appropriate phrasing! Other highlights are the way the main theme comes back (at 3:45); the violins playing so incredibly soft... and then the reaching of a climax at the end of the phrase with a particularly passionate and daring emphasis on the basses (4:21).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• classical
• orchestra
• debussy
• clair
• de
• lune
• london
• symphony
• stanley
• black
• vinyl
• impresionism
• moonlight
• claro
• luna

[Atheneastro]

Ren and Stimpy brought me here, especially the latter. Oh, the darling, sweet latter...

[Composerwizard]

@Atheneastro LOL you are the second person to say this here. I wasn't aware Ren & Stimpy had some classsical music albums. I think I found the link you are referring to (it is a very nice version of Clair de Lune too) but I tried to post it here and I couldn't (an error window popped up).

[itschokechap]

I totally love the horn at 4:22 and 4:33! This C-Flat in that Db chord makes the ending so perfect!

[Composerwizard]

@itschokechap Yes, the C flat makes the chord be Db dominant seven (V of IV) instead of the usual Dflat major. Sounds like a bittersweet "goodbye" chord to me... first resolving to the elegant subdominant, and then to the nostalgic Bb minor in those 4 bars. Both the Ormandy version and this one have the horn doing that note... it does sound like the perfect choice.

[edshift]

That was a fantastic video and a really nice arrangement of the piece.

Thanks for posting.

Really great video.

[Composerwizard]

@edshift Thank you very much! I was on a trip around Europe and I didn't see your nice message until today...

[Composerwizard]

@wishcraft4u2 The ways of youtube are mysterious...:)

[Composerwizard]

@TheRevmack Yes, but the one in Oceans Eleven (if Im not mistaken) is a recording by the Philadelphia Orchestra conducted by Eugene Ormandy. Ormandy is one of my favorite conductors, and the "Philadelphia sound" is often breathtaking. But his version of Clair de Lune gets a bit too loud and pompous for my taste. It is still never the less, a beautiful interpretation also (and that scene in the movie was remarkable).

[Atheneastro]

@Composerwizard Ha, ha, ha! Oh, well!

[Atheneastro]

@wishcraft4u2 So am I... 'The Littlest Giant' and 'Son of Stimpy' brought me here, especially.

[StripeRich]

@lucy10by: Arguably the best impressionist piece (even if Debussy didn't like that apellation) of all time. Even the simplest piano version evokes in me a whole range of emotions...from melancholy through insouciance and whimsy...to philosophical reflection or nostalgic yearning and ultimately - hopefulness and aspiration. Likewise, this instrumental rendition leaves me smiling in a puddle of tears, and somehow - uplifted.

[lucy10by]

1 person clearly doesn't have good taste in Impressionist music. I love this song and I have Radio 1 to thank - just beautiful

[Mr20080711]

linda,não sei descrever..musica um estado de alma e acredito q ele foi inspirado por deus,que de nosso criador provem todas as belezas!!

[alemontenegrocastro]

Wm

mmm

[YoungBradiful]

@mctimilsworth Indeed!!!

[matthewsear]

How can 1 person dislike. what did they expect, An amazing piece of music