It seems inconceivable to this listener that in the space of a single year we would be treated to the luxury of two alternative recordings...

It seems inconceivable to this listener that in the space of a single year we would be treated to the luxury of two alternative recordings of the chef d'oeuvre of a short-lived but very talented French composer—the Symphony in A of 1930 premiered by none other than Pierre Monteux and written by Pierre-Octave Ferroud (1900-36). (The first recording, on the Auvidis label, was reviewed by this writer earlier in 1998.)

The best news about this Marco Polo release is the presence of some minor but enjoyable shavings from Ferroud's well-worn workbench, all receiving their first recordings, of course: a very quick but galvanizing Fanfare for the Herald; the piquant March from the composite ballet L'Eventail de Jeanne (which was actually once available on complete recordings of this work); two gently appealing early pieces—the Sarabande and Andante cordial, the latter bearing probably the most attractive if conventional melody by Ferroud ever recorded; and a short suite in three continuous parts from a "black comedy" opera buffa after Chekhov—Chirurgie ("Surgery")—a product of Ferroud's brief maturity from the late 20s.

In addition, on this disc is a major work, the Serenade of 1927, which it shares with the Auvidis release. This almost pseudo Neoclassic piece in three movements (Berceuse, Pavane, and Spirituel) is also somewhat ambivalent in tone, veering from the mordant to the mischievous in an emotionally kaleidoscopic manner.

While there's little to choose between the two treatments of the Symphony (both project well the music's high-powered, almost feral energy), this second recording perhaps doesn't quite catch its subtle gradations of tone, though this German orchestra from Württemberg plays these scores with remarkable assurance: It's no surprise to learn they often specialize in French repertoire.

-- Paul A. Snook, FANFARE [3/1999]