Essential Dukas
The admittedly small output of French composer Paul Dukas (1865-1935) is overshadowed by one famous work: the sparkling but brief orchestral scherzo 'L'apprenti sorcier' (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) he composed in 1897 after a ballad by Goethe. It featured memorably in the famous scene from Walt Disney's 'Fantasia' (1940) that saw Mickey Mouse grappling with unruly enchanted mops and buckets. Behind its surface brilliance, though, we hear a serious, imaginative and innovative composer creating harmonic progressions that anticipate mature Debussy and Stravinsky.
Read more…- Dukas • Polyeucte, OverturePolyeucte, OvertureYan Pascal Tortelier, BBC PhilharmonicMay 1993, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester
- Dukas • L'apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice) • Assez lent – Vif –Tempo I – VifL'apprenti sorcier (The Sorcerer's Apprentice)
Assez lent – Vif –Tempo I – VifMarc Albrecht, Orchestre Philharmonique de Strasbourg2008, Strasbourg, Palais de la musique et des congrès - Dukas • Variations, interlude et finale sur un thème de Rameau
- Dukas • Villanelle for Horn and Piano
- Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 1. 'A mort! à mort!' (Voices of the Crowd, Isolated Voices)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 1. 'A mort! à mort!' (Voices of the Crowd, Isolated Voices)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 2. 'Où sommes-nous?' (The Nurse, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 2. 'Où sommes-nous?' (The Nurse, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 3. 'Qui faites-vous?' (The Nurse, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 3. 'Qui faites-vous?' (The Nurse, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 4. 'Prenez-les! Penchez-vous!' (The Nurse, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 4. 'Prenez-les! Penchez-vous!' (The Nurse, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 5. 'Ce sont de beaux saphirs' (Ariane, The Nurse)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 5. 'Ce sont de beaux saphirs' (Ariane, The Nurse)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 6. 'J'en recueille une poignée pour qu'elles' (The Nurse, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 6. 'J'en recueille une poignée pour qu'elles' (The Nurse, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 7. 'Oh! celles-ci sont plus vertes que le printemps' (The Nurse, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 7. 'Oh! celles-ci sont plus vertes que le printemps' (The Nurse, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 8. 'Celles-ci sont terribles, et je n'y touche point' (The Nurse, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 8. 'Celles-ci sont terribles, et je n'y touche point' (The Nurse, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 9. 'O mes clairs diamants!' (Ariane, The Nurse)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 9. 'O mes clairs diamants!' (Ariane, The Nurse)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 10. 'Ariane, que faites-vous?' (The Nurse, Ariane, The Underground Chant)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 10. 'Ariane, que faites-vous?' (The Nurse, Ariane, The Underground Chant)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 11. 'Vous aussi?' (Blue-Beard, Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 11. 'Vous aussi?' (Blue-Beard, Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act I • 12. 'Que voulez-vous?' (Ariane)Ariane et Barbe-Bleue
Act I • 12. 'Que voulez-vous?' (Ariane)Deborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue • Act II • 1. PréludeAriane et Barbe-Bleue
Act II • 1. PréludeDeborah Polaski (Soprano), Jane Henschel (Mezzo-soprano), Kwangchul Youn (Baritone), Ruxandra Donose (Mezzo-soprano), Stella Grigorian (Mezzo-soprano), Ileana Tonca (Soprano), Nina Bernsteiner (Soprano), Ante Jerkunica (Bass), Erik Arman (Voice), Markus Raab (Voice), Bertrand de Billy
ORF Radio-Symphonieorchester Wien, Slovak Philharmonic Chorus℗ 2006 - Dukas • Ariane et Barbe-Bleue: Prelude to Act 3 • Assez lentAriane et Barbe-Bleue: Prelude to Act 3
Assez lentJean Martinon, Orchestre National de l'ORTF℗ 1989 - Dukas • Sonata for Piano in E flat minor • I. Modérément vite – Expressif et marquéSonata for Piano in E flat minor
I. Modérément vite – Expressif et marquéJohn Ogdon (Piano)℗ 1996, London, Abbey Road Studios - Dukas • Sonata for Piano in E flat minor • II. Calme – Un peu lent – Très soutenuSonata for Piano in E flat minor
II. Calme – Un peu lent – Très soutenuJohn Ogdon (Piano)℗ 1996, London, Abbey Road Studios - Dukas • Sonata for Piano in E flat minor • III. Vivement, avec légèretéSonata for Piano in E flat minor
III. Vivement, avec légèretéJohn Ogdon (Piano)℗ 1996, London, Abbey Road Studios - Dukas • Sonata for Piano in E flat minor • IV. Très lent – AniméSonata for Piano in E flat minor
IV. Très lent – AniméJohn Ogdon (Piano)℗ 1996, London, Abbey Road Studios - Dukas • Prélude élégiaque sur le nom de Haydn, for Piano • Lent et recueilliPrélude élégiaque sur le nom de Haydn, for Piano
Lent et recueilliMargaret Fingerhut (Piano)May 1988, Suffolk, St Bartholomew’s Church, Orford, Suffolk - Dukas • Symphony in C major • I. Allegro non troppo vivace, ma con fuocoSymphony in C major
I. Allegro non troppo vivace, ma con fuocoYan Pascal Tortelier, BBC PhilharmonicMay 1993, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester - Dukas • Symphony in C major • II. Andante espressivo e sostenutoSymphony in C major
II. Andante espressivo e sostenutoYan Pascal Tortelier, BBC PhilharmonicMay 1993, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester - Dukas • Symphony in C major • III. Allegro spiritosoSymphony in C major
III. Allegro spiritosoYan Pascal Tortelier, BBC PhilharmonicMay 1993, Manchester, Studio 7, New Broadcasting House, Manchester - Dukas • Sonnet de Ronsard • Sonnet de Ronsard (1920)Sonnet de Ronsard
Sonnet de Ronsard (1920)Philippe Jaroussky (Countertenor), Jérôme Ducros (Piano)℗ 2009, Chambre Syndicale Typographique Parisienne
Dukas was born in Paris to a banker father and a mother who was a fine pianist. He undertook traditional studies at the Paris Conservatoire with Ernest Guiraud and his first published work was the 'Polyeucte' Overture (1891) after Pierre Corneille's drama. But, as his epic symphony and piano sonata show, he was equally proficient when composing in larger forms. He spent seven years writing his only opera 'Ariane et Barbe-Bleue', to a Maurice Maeterlinck play on the same subject as Béla Bartók's slightly later 'Duke Bluebeard's Castle'. He was a prolific critic and editor of early music (particularly works of Couperin, Rameau and Domenico Scarlatti) and retained a studiously non-partisan attitude within the divisive musical world of fin-de-siècle Paris. He was also intensely critical of his own works, though, leaving behind just a small output: nearly all of his published compositions are represented – in whole or in part – by this playlist.