Claude Debussy:
Prélude a l’apres-midi d’un faune
Six épigraphes antiques (orch. Ernest Ansermet)

Albert Roussel:
Bacchus et Ariane, Op. 43 - Suite No. 2

Ernest Chausson:
Poeme de l’amour et de la mer

The performances of the Swiss conductor Armin Jordan are characterised by a soft, supple and richly colourful orchestral sound, flexibility and warmth. He was a master of French repertoire as well as the music tradition of Central Europe, combining both traditions in his very own musical thumbprint. Released here for the first time are live recordings made in Lucerne with the Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, which experienced a golden era under Jordan’s leadership between 1985 and 1997.

This CD comprises Armin Jordan’s “specials”, such as Debussy’s Prélude a l’apres-midi d’un faune or the Six épigraphes antiques in orchestrations by Ansermet. In Chausson’s Poeme de l’amour et de la mer we meet Jordan the opera conductor, treasuring the fantastic Felicity Lott: here, the emotional component of the performance appears more intense than in the studio recording of 2001. In the second suite from Roussel’s ballet Bacchus et Ariane Jordan also creates a thrilling sense of drama. He never had the opportunity to record this rarely performed piece in the studio: this live recording from Lucerne therefore fills a gap in his discography.

The 28-page booklet in three languages contains a portrait of the conductor by Peter Hagmann and features photos from the festival archive, published here for the first time.

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Recording: August 27, 1988 & August 20, 1994, Kunsthaus, Lucerne. Recorded live at Lucerne Festival (Internationale Musikfestwochen Luzern).