España

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, many French composers looked to Spain for inspiration, drawing what they regarded as exotic, even mysterious flavors into their music by infusing it with the country’s dance rhythms and folk melodies. This vibrant live album shines a light on four orchestral works, each among the finest examples of this brand of cultural fusion. Chabrier’s effervescent, colorful España, composed in 1883 and inspired by the composer’s travels to Spain, is followed by the series of short, vivid orchestral ballet interludes that Massenet scattered throughout his 1885 medieval-themed opera Le Cid. Ravel’s orchestral version of “Alborado del Gracioso,” his depiction of a lively Spanish dance and soulful serenade, and the middle triptych from Debussy’s Images pour orchestra, take us well into the 20th century, signaling the enduring nature of French music’s passion for Spanish culture. These performances benefit from Les Siècles’ use of instruments from late-19th-century France, with gut strings and narrower-bore brass bringing a mellowness to the sound. Add to that this orchestra’s incredible sense of ensemble, and the results are lucid, expressive—and rather magical.