Images / Nocturnes I & II / Prelude A l'aprAs-midi d'un faune / etc

"Some vintage performances but the competition from Munch is daunting"
(MusicWeb April 2006)

Pierre Monteux had the honour of conducting several important premieres from both French composers as well as others, like Stravinsky, who made their home in France. Here, released internationally on CD for the first time, are his 1961 recordings of Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune and the first and second Nocturnes (he never recorded 'Sirènes' for Decca). The hazy atmosphere and latent sexual energy of the Prélude has seldom been more evocatively conveyed. The coupling is Monteux's Philips recording of the complete Images for orchestra, recorded in 1963 and now reappearing in the catalogue at budget price.