Debussy: Nocturnes, Pelleas et Melisande Symphonie

Sometimes there are CDs where one really doesn't have to spend a lot of time on. This Naxos specimen is a good example. I bought it for the rare 'symphonie', put together by Marius Constant, of the instrumental music for Pelléas. However, when I put on the Nocturnes, once again, I was in for a disappointment. The whole thing sounded curiously underpowered and anemic. As if the orchestra was recorded under a blanket. But it's not the engineering which is to fault (although it's hardly more than a thirteen-to-the-dozen digital product) but the playing. There is not a shred of sparkle in the Nuages. Textures are lifeless and matte. The orchestra sounds tentative, almost morose. No idea what this conductor was up to. The Orchestre National de Lyon does have a fine pedigree in Debussy, however. Baudo was at its helm for many years. He must curse when he hears this recording. Fêtes is slightly less flaccid but totally unexceptional. The Sirènes are sung in a weird, undifferentiated legato. It's as far removed of Van Beinum's sprightly rendition as you can think off. Here and there Märkl tries too hard to do something different. The result is highly contrived, even outright fake. I got the distinct impression that this is a conductor that has no ideas at all and seeks escape in watery colours, uniformily subdued dynamics and some trivial effects. The Pelléas symphony fares a little better, although we largely find the same approach. It's listenable, however. I didn't bother to spend time on the fillers. What a strange, amateuristic release. It's a mystery why Naxos decided to entrust a full 6-CD cycle of all Debussy's orchestral works to this combo. I won't investigate the other volumes, that's for sure.