Richard COCCIANTE & Luc PLAMONDON
Notre Dame de Paris (Classical Version)
I Fiamminghi conducted by
Rudolf Werthen
VARÈSE SARABANDE
CST 8083.2 [40:21]
Coincidentally arriving at the same time as the new Marco Polo Georges Auric
film music compilation, that includes the 1956 film score of Notre-Dame de
Paris (reviewed on this site this month), here is the ‘classical’
version of the hit musical that is the latest incarnation of Victor Hugo’s
epic story of the Hunchback of Notre Dame.
I Fiamminghi, founded by its present artistic director, Rudolf Werthen, is
a Flemish multi-sized ensemble varying according to the music they perform.
According to the booklet blurb, "Werthen consciously distances himself from
score interpretations based upon tradition. With an appropriate feeli9ng
for style and emotional empathy, and his command of the original performance
techniques, Rudolf Werthen adds a new and refreshing dimension to familiar
scores."
Werthen begins his all-orchestral version with ‘The age of cathedrals’
which in theory should be a sweeping majestic statement but the awe is muted
with the accent more on the lyricism associated with one of the musical’s
number. More imposing and astringent is the dramatic ‘The refugees’
that has biting and desperate string figures and pungent bass drums. The
chords become increasingly whip-like and speak of cruelty and despair. ‘The
Bohemian song’, with its shimmering harp figures and melancholy song
for cellos and violas, develops ardently as a vibrant Spanish rhythm dance
coloured by trumpets and castanets. ‘Torn Apart’, belying its title,
is another upbeat bracing number, strongly accented, in the Spanish style.
In contrast ‘Belle’ is more relaxed and sentimental; it is romantic
and lyrical. ‘The Pagan Ave Maria’ is another misnomer; hardly
wild it has a rather sentimental romantic tune weaving over an Ave Maria-like
ostinato figuration. So far so good and I was tempted to award this album
near top points and an Editor’s recommendation but the remaining numbers
in this 11 cue album frankly disappoint. They are predominantly tediously
gloomy and based on simple musical cells that have too much repetition without
enough variety of harmony or orchestration.
Very good in parts, tedious in others
Reviewer
Ian Lace
