3.0 out of 5 stars
The only complete recording, Feb 16 2004
By A Customer
This review is from: Rameau: Les Fêtes d'Hébé ou Les Talens Lyriques (Audio CD)
This is the only complete recording of this piece, though excerpts are available on other recordings, including those of John Elliot Gardiner and Raymond Leppard, whom I prefer.
Christie's tempi are often so fast they harm the character of the pieces, in my opinion; his orchestra has to be virtuosic indeed to keep up, and while impressive, I find it muscally wanting.
A few of the dances are played on pennywhistles and musettes (a sort of bagpipe) instead of as orchestrated by Rameau, and while the liner notes give an historically-informed argument for doing this, I'd rather hear the originals.
Finally, the singing is not always first rate, and I find some of the performances so mannered that they quickly pall.
All that said, it's a wonderful piece, and the true Rameau fanatic will want to own this despite its many shortcomings.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
Really fine recording, May 8 2002
By A Customer
This review is from: Rameau: Les Fêtes d'Hébé ou Les Talens Lyriques (Audio CD)
This, and Philharmonia Baroques's Platee, would be a good places to start if you were looking for a place to start with Rameau. If you are already a Ramiste, you should this recording in your collection. La Guirlande/Zepyre, also recorded by Christe and Les Artes Floirissants is also very good.
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5.0 out of 5 stars
ABOUT THE SAMPLES, Oct 24 1999
This review is from: Rameau: Les Fêtes d'Hébé ou Les Talens Lyriques (Audio CD)
THE SAMPLES ARE NOT FROM THE OPERA. PLEASE CHANGE THEM.
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