Ireland RTE National Symphony Orchestra & Jean-Luc Tingaud - Bizet: Roma - Marche Funèbre (2015) [24/192]

The success of Bizet’s opera Carmen has overshadowed the rest of his output, but this fascinating orchestral programme, which includes a number of seldom performed works, reveals more of his talent for writing colourful, atmospheric and melodic music. The Overture in A was Bizet’s first orchestral work and unperformed in his lifetime, while the Marche funèbre was originally the prelude to an opera about love and vengeance, now lost. The dramatic overture Patrie captures the mood following the Franco-Prussian war of 1870–71, while the Petite suite is a set of orchestrations of movements from Jeux d’enfants (Children’s Games). Conceived in Italy as a symphony, after Bizet had won the Prix de Rome, Roma occupied the composer for 11 years before the final version heard here.

Tracklist:

1. Marche funebre in B Minor 08:25
2. Overture in A Major 12:39
3. Patrie Overture 12:18
4. Jeux d'enfants: No. 8. Les Quatre Coins (version for orchestra) 03:02

Petite Suite (arr. of Jeux d'enfants for orchestra)
5. No. 1. Marche: Trompette et tambour 02:22
6. No. 2. Berceuse: La Poupee 02:47
7. No. 3. Impromptu: La toupie 01:02
8. No. 4. Duo: Petit mari, petite femme 02:55
9. No. 5. Galop: Le bal 01:44

Roma
10. I. Andante tranquillo - Allegro agitato - Andante 11:32
11. II. Allegro vivace 05:35
12. III. Andante molto 07:33
13. IV. Allegro vivacissimo 06:31

Personnel:
RTÉ National Symphony Orchestra
Jean-Luc Tingaud, conductor

Recorded in the National Concert Hall, Dublin, Ireland, from 6th to 8th January, 2014
Engineered by Damien Chennells (RTÉ)
Produced by Phil Rowlands

Digitally remastered