José Serebrier's Carmen Symphony consists of 12 movements and contains all of the music in the two suites plus some nifty additional music, such as...

José Serebrier's Carmen Symphony consists of 12 movements and contains all of the music in the two suites plus some nifty additional music, such as the "The Wedding" from the opening of Act 4 and the sinister little Fugato from the end of Act 1. The music is much as Bizet left it, save that Serebrier has reallocated some of the voice parts to instruments closer in range to the characters that sing each respective number in the opera. For example, Carmen's Habañera goes to the alto saxophone, and Escamillo's big Toreador number features solo trombone. Both work quite well and would work even better were the soloists of the Spanish orchestra a bit higher-caliber. I do wish that Serebrier had cut down the annoying little march that, without the accompanying children's chorus, repeats itself endlessly; but the decision to end with the Gypsy Dance is a wise one, and it gets a brilliant performance here.


The two L'arlésienne suites also have plenty of color and swagger, not to mention precision, in these renditions. Serebrier finds great character in the first suite's opening variations, and the Carillon really does evoke the peal of bells even if the violins could use a touch more richness of tone in their big tune. The second suite's opening Pastorale is sensitively done, both Menuets reek of the ballroom, and the closing Farandole benefits both from excellent orchestral balances when the two main tunes appear combined, as well as from a healthy accelerando into the final bars. Vivid and natural recorded sound with excellent bass and a bright, open top complete a very attractive package indeed, one that certainly justifies yet another version of this oft-recorded music. [3/11/2004]
--David Hurwitz, ClassicsToday.com