Faure: Pelleas Et Melisande Dolly

Seiji Ozawa has repeatedly shown a flair for the French repertory, and here he delivers an unusually passionate reading of Fauré's masterpiece, one that exhibits great sensitivity and a fine feel for pacing. Ozawa is clearly drawn to the tragic element in the music, and is most persuasive in the score's outer movements. A point of particular interest is the inclusion of a song entitled "Chanson de Mélisande," which Fauré set directly in English. There is some wonderfully coloristic solo work from the Bostonians in these performances, and the orchestral discipline is excellent. Although the violins seem to have been recorded in rather harsh light, the sound is quite satisfactory. --Ted Libbey