Claude Debussy: La Mer (Lucerne Festival Orchestra, Claudio Abbado)

Founding Concert of the Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Recorded live at the Lucerne Festival, Summer 2003
Concert Hall of the Culture- and Convention Center Lucerne, 14. August 2003
Lucerne Festival Orchestra
Claudio Abbado - conductor
Click here to compare Claude Debussy's interpretation with Esa-Pekka Salonen's as conductors: • Video
La Mer - Trois esquisses symphoniques
The Sea - three symphonic sketches
Das Meer - drei symphonische Skizzen
0:00 I. De l'aube à midi sur la mer. Très lent (8:35)
From Dawn to Midday at Sea
Vom Morgen bis zum Mittag auf dem Meer
8:31 II. Jeux de vagues. Allegro (6:47)
Play of the Waves
Spiel der Wellen
15:18 III. Dialogue du vent et de la mer. Animé et tumultueux (8:21)
Dialogue between the Wind and the Sea
Gespräch zwischen Wind und Meer
La Mer was written between 1903 and 1905, and is now one of the best-known works in the symphonic repertoire. The subtitle of the three-movement composition, "symphonic sketches", clearly shows that with this music Debussy intended to disassociate himself not only from strict symphonic form but also from programme music influenced by extramusical material. The sea's waves and surfaces become a metaphor for timbre-based music - a pioneering vision of the sounds of the future at the beginning of the 20th century.
Claudio Abbado and the Lucerne Festival have enjoyed a close musical relationship spanning nearly four decades. Like many now world-famous conductors, Abbado, too, made his début in Lucerne at the rostrum of the Swiss Festival Orchestra, which from 1943 to 1993 made a decisive mark on the summer music festival. lt was in 1966 that he first conducted the ensemble, made up of Switzerland's best musicians. This was the time when the young conductor also presented himself to the Vienna and Berlin Philharmonic Orchestras. Since then Abbado has been a regular guest on the shore of Lake Lucerne. He came with the Vienna Philharmonic, the London Symphony Orchestra and the Philharmonia Orchestra, and was the first person to bring the music of Luigi Nono to Lucerne, the piece in question being II canto sospeso, which he performed in 1979 with the Orchestra del Teatro alla Scala Milano.
In 1989 Abbado was elected Chief Conductor of the Berlin Philharmonic, and with this orchestra, which had been associated with the festival for decades, he now came to Lucerne every year from the end of August to the beginning of September. Exactly five years ago Abbado and the Berlin Philharmonic had the honour of performing the opening concert in the new concert hall of the Lucerne Culture und Conference Centre, designed by Jean Nouvel and Russell Johnson.
Abbado did not, however, just come to Lucerne as the chief conductor of several major European orchestras. Ha has always been committed to promoting young talent, und has founded several youth orchestras, which he has introduced at the Lucerne Festival. He performed there in 1980 and 1985 with the European Community Youth Orchestra, in 1986 and 1988 with the Chamber Orchestra of Europe, and in 1996 with the Gustav Mahler Youth Orchestra.
The new Lucerne Festival Orchestra is an internationally unique orchestra formed for summer 2003, which right at the start of the festival ensured great musical moments and global headlines: "A conductor is back, an orchestra reborn", wrote The New York Times; "The marvel in Lucerne", acclaimed Berlin's Tagesspiegel. With this newly formed orchestra Abbado was continuing the long tradition of a resident festival orchestra, begun by Arturo Toscanini at the first Lucerne Summer Festival with a "Concert de Gala" when he conducted in front of Wagner's former residence in Tribschen in 1938.
lt has been in the new Lucerne Festival Orchestra that famous musicians have met and, exclusively in this grouping, given performances of works from the symphonic repertoire. The orchestra's principal desks have been occupied by soloists such as Kolja Blacher, Renaud und Gautier Capucon, Wolfram Christ, Stephan Dohr, Georg Faust, Natalia Gutman, Albrecht Mayer, Emmanuel Pahud, Diemut Poppen and Alois Posch, as well as by members of the Hagen Quartet and the Ensemble Sabine Meyer. The basis has been provided by the Mahler Chamber Orchestra - around 50 musicians with whom Abbado has collaborated for years. In general it is important to this conductor to collaborate with musicians with long experience of making music together, and this particularly applies to chamber music, which, as it were, represents an advanced school of mutual listening.

[@cassiuscyparissus5567]

in the age before disney and youtube, Debussy can fill our minds with the sea, the crashing o the waves, just by few musical instruments. Impressionist music works like magic.

[@culturalivrebr]

Catapel nice your reference about Disney. all my images of the sea, including the images this music suggests, are related to my experience with Disney old movies.

[@culturalivrebr]

Catapel this is pure 40's Fantasia to me

[@pega17pl]

+manotsva Where do you think got Walt Disney his imaginations?

[@spliff22]

He didn't like to be called Impressionist although I see where you're going with that.

[@salvorizzo8671]

@@spliff22 In facts, more than impressionist, Debussy was a simbolist.

[@katherinewang3466]

Thank you TwoSet! Otherwise I would have missed this masterpiece!

[@Drachenschnauze]

I found it on an anekdote in a Don Juan - Masterclass, it was very funny :)

[@miriamvg5389]

Same!

[@wordjunkie289]

Brett and Eddy have led so many music lovers to KZbin classical music channels I feel they deserve a commission! These channels must be wondering why there has been a spike in viewership in recent years. Hope they read the comments.

[@emmyborsboom6649]

@@Drachenschnauze pppp

[@_seiru_]

Same💞

[@Cristobels-Green-Boots]

This makes me weep- sometimes, I’m afraid to watch it…the power of an orchestra of this size - with every tiny part slotted in place - like a great machine! And Maestro Abbado - already so frail - in his element, & REALLY leading this magnificent orchestra through such a well-loved piece… I feel so happy that someone, somewhere, is seeing/hearing this for the first time…Welcome! Thank you to Two Set for sharing! 🙏🏻💔🙏🏽

[@louise_rose]

Wonderful interpretation of this powerful symphonic suite. I've seen it several times on TV (Mezzo) and I'm happy to find it here on KZbin. Abbado gets awesome nuances of sound from this orchestra, and this is of course a work that's been very influential - not least on classic film soundtracks!

[@IceOfPhoenix88]

This is 100% my favourite recording of La Mer.

[@tanakaasuka]

Wow the expression at the climax of the 1st movement is so unique 😳😳 that just emphasizes the flutes’ melody rather than the brass 😳very impressive 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@rena2168]

Claudio Abbado bravissimo, la migliore versione de "La mer"

[@cipotlar]

23:01 did anybody else feel the fire from the double basses? Bloody awesome. First time I heard the double basses so prominently in that section of La Mer.

[@areyounatz]

Yes! This is the only interpretation, I believe, where you can clearly hear that.

[@francistamio3904]

Those two splash of waves at 12:36 and the following waltz always get me. Definitely my favorite sections of this masterpiece.

[@salvorizzo8671]

Simply, my favorite symphonic work of ever, of all the time. And this version is probably the best one above all. Thanks Claudio, rest in peace!

[@salvorizzo8671]

Also, at 21:57 we can here the trumpets section, often omitted by many directors, and at 22:33 the strings section is very clear, especially the cellos, whose notes are in contrapposition to the violins ones. In a few of bars there is the whole art of Debussy!

[@pedrodiniz92]

I think we should be thanking both Claudio and Claude for this one! 🤣

[@itopus1]

MAGNIFICENT ! A majestic orchestra, under full sails, it just blows you mind away. Maestro Abbado at the very top of a musical Himalaya.

[@wardropper]

Just wonderful! I'm pretty old by now, but this is about the most thrilling thing I've ever heard. Fabulous how he lets the tempo push and relax, "breathing", like the sea. So many conductors just beat time, and all we get is a mere photograph of the ocean. This is so alive and full of movement. I'm there, in the sea, splashing around like a kid, awestruck by the sky above and the miraculous light around! I can see Maestro Abbado is too.

Such a beautiful comment. I can relate to all words that you share…

[@VictorHugo-xn9jz]

The Lucerne Festival Orchestra never disappoints, Claudio Abbado is truly a good conductor, not to mention the amazing musicians.

[@gljamil]

A masterpiece conducted by a master. Wonderful

[@okavango5937]

The best La Mer i have EVER heard! It just rocks!

[@emberdrops3892]

I love Abbado's expressions at 22:27 During the buildup, he's tense, and then at 22:30 with the release, he just says: well done, now bring it :D

[@Djdkkxkxkxkxk]

By far the best version, amazing!!!

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This masterpiece is indescribable feelings , and indescribable beauty, and something indescribable

[@wardropper]

About the most wonderful thing I have ever heard, and Abbado's control of tempo is just perfect. Nothing goes so fast that it becomes sloppy, yet everything moves forward with the natural urgency of life itself. I can't praise these musicians enough, and no one has ever done Debussy more justice. It is so obvious, too, that they are full of love for this miraculous music, and that certainly transmits to us as listeners. I'm repeating myself because I'm so bowled over. (See comment below...)

[@noradosmith]

Abbado was an absolute master.

[@jeysusasombal0827]

I was really frustrated and stressed at my job at the same time with my study but when I hear this materpiece it's so relaxing that feels like I'm floating on the air while closing my eyes and listining to it with all my heart and soul...

[@larissacosta6307]

7:50 things start getting lit!!! Love this piece and Abbado's execution is just perfect. This is perfect.

[@mateushayasaka]

I never see another condutor put enphase on main theme like him.

[@irenecarrillo6750]

I always cry at this point, it's so beautiful

[@freddyharvey2405]

Abbado is my favourite conductor, his sense of balance is brilliant

[@ericli3887]

Can we talk about how amazing the articulations are in the oboes are 10:50?

[@_rstcm]

1:10 Just love the buildup. So heavenly! 😇😇😇😇

[@carlospinilla7735]

uff... .ese choque orquestal de la ola, imperial, decisiva, sobrenatural, qué música...! dan ganas de eternidad

[@MiaFeigelsonGallery]

On the anniversary of Claude Debussy's birth anniversary, what could it better than listening to this amazingly brilliant performance by the Lucerne Festival Orchestra under the baton of one of the best and humblest Conductors of all time ? In 'La Mer', Debussy managed to capture the heart and spirit, the true essence of what the sea can evoque to any of us, to all of us. The countless almost infinite states of moods that the powerful, mighty sea may inspire us, are undoubtedly rendered by this masterly score performed in a way I have hardly ever listened to. @EuroArtsChannel, thanks for sharing this mesmerising Video with us all !

[@Henning_S]

Seeing Bernanrd Haitink giving applause at 24:36 always warms my heart

[@pianopera]

Great attention to complex rhythmic details and balance of sound without ever losing track of the evocative, dramatic quality of the music -- this is devoted music making of the highest order.

[@josjanssen6733]

Watch Abbado from 22:26 to the moment where he anticipates the fanfare. How his facial expression changes. No exaggerated stuff, no histrionics. Just the wisdom of a man and his musicians who are perfect in the moment. It brings a tear to my eye....

[@rorycraig]

The third movement 'Dialogue du vent et de la mer' has quite possibly THE GREATEST ending of any symphonic work. And I have to say, the orchestra and Abbado's interpretation is just magnificent.

[@ceciliasullivan3880]

he looks very in love with the music

[@lawrencewei3583]

Stop.

[@yingchaowang5259]

Wow! Sabine Meyer is in the clarinet sector! So great to see her!

[@dariogalizzioli2416]

The capacity to make every sound perfectly audible, Abbado was the only one with this skill, mastering the musicians, without reading the musical score.

[@mariya54462]

This piece is so beautiful and magical it makes me cry. It reminds me of Miyazaki's Ponyo 💙

[@camilorm5578]

Debussy ha pasado los límites de mi comprensión. Realmente creó una composición que no parece de este mundo con La mer. Al igual que Ravel con Daphnis et Chloe. Nunca me cansaré de oírlas. Es música del mismísimo paraíso, y aun mejor en esta interpretación de Claudio Abbado. Simplemente Maravilloso

[@ruperttmls7985]

A mi me gusta mucho Debussy... pero sinceramente “La Mer” no termino de digerirla, se me hace pesada y a veces hasta confusa... pocas veces la escucho completa. Falta de costumbre supongo.

[@leakingsock]

I needed this for my music presentation lol 😩

[@billsullivan3920]

The Lucerne Festival Orchestra was formed by invitation from the conductor Abbado. These are the elite from many European orchestras. Their great sound was unique to many critics. Great soloists such as Heinhold Frederich on trumpet, I think he played in all the concerts through the years, and the very fine Albrecht Mayer on oboe. This is a truly great La Mer.

[@trundholm93]

Also Georg Faust and Natalia Gutman in 1. cello. Cracks.

[@marcelosagredopsathas1021]

Emmanuel Pahud in flute

[@MiaFeigelsonGallery]

@@marcelosagredopsathas1021 , certainly.. and what a fabulous flautist he is !!!

[@peter4057]

*Reinhold Friedrich

[@theingabo212]

This is just splendid! Bravo as always Maestro Abbado, and we’d been missing you a lot. ❤

[@therightmusic7639]

Great conductor and ochestral composition (the sea has always been my favorite place). Bravi!!

[@schumacherenator]

Cello soli at 4:36 is just perfect

[@Artist_Aejoo]

아름다운 연주 너무 잘 들었습니다 감사합니다 ❤️🧡💛

[@Cristobels-Green-Boots]

Simply the best! I’m not a musician, but I feel able to enter another world with this - I wait for the motifs to re-enter & depart, REALLY leading the different sections to follow….what a wonder! I’ll cherish this recording, for as long as I’m privileged to listen to/watch it…. Thank you so much for sharing! Take care & be well! 🙏🏽💔🙏🏻

[@parintelebaiazid80]

7:30 the beginning of the epic Sunrise

[@TheClovis40]

Une merveille ,on pourrait même sentir l'air du large...sentir l'iode.....fabuleux! quels musiciens...quel chef....!

[@b0bfelice]

FANTASTIQUE! Best rendition I've ever heard! Great attention to the dynamic range of the orchestra to evoke the swells of The Sea!

[@TenorJota]

Maestro, incredibile 🌹

[@jlcdyidtjragguwhkvwichs]

Oh...there's an inexplicable beauty......

[@ychinchilly]

ikr! When I close my eyes, I can see the rumbling waves

[@fargarden]

Just stunning. A revelation of new nuance and colour.

[@areyounatz]

You can really hear the waves. I always imagine a big ship docking to port in the last part of the 3rd movement.

[@Simevolution]

Best version on youtube! :)

[@barney6888]

Abbado at his best, great playing. Superb stuff

[@sanjorge520]

que belleza, simplemente hermoso, me encanta

[@shin-i-chikozima]

Every time I listen to this masterpiece , I remember Verginia Woolf's 「 The Waves 」 and get wistful . From chaotic Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun .

[@shin-i-chikozima]

No performance is as intriguing and captivating and inspirational as this performance

[@geneosis]

Very good execution.

[@theingabo212]

Listening to this while walking along the shore. 😩💗

[@victorcubillos8946]

Un maestro inolvidable,Abbado.

[@legendpossible7159]

Gave me goosebumps...

[@davidrehak3539]

Claude Debussy:A tenger-szimfonikus költemény 1.Hajnaltól délig a tengeren - Molto lento 00:00 2.Hullámok játéka - Allegro 8:31 3.A tenger és a szél párbeszéde - Vivace e tumultuoso 15:18 Luzerni Fesztivál Zenekara Vezényel:Claudio Abbado Luzerni Kulturális és Kongresszusi Központ 2003.augusztus 14.

[@pokopori]

TwoSet brought me here.... (-_-)

[@antoniangai7107]

omgggg same whenever they say how few parts of violin his works include!

[@joyceleung9052]

twoset CHARADES brought me here

[@fuadsawyer1054]

i was very lucky to have performed under the baton of claidio abbado in 1975 at the royal albert hall -- wo where has the years gone

[@danfriend9567]

Given that you two were so close,one would have thought you would know how to spell his name.

[@fuadsawyer1054]

attention daniel i was avery young singer in 1975 i performed in a group in south africa who performed at the royal albeert hall with him conducting ..i wasnt an associate of his in a ppersonal capcity .should i find the programme i wil email it ..and as you know as when most of us age we can make istakes ..pls i cant retrack but send me how i spelt his name and mameely im an retired opera singer and play no instrument many thanks fuad sawyer

[@CherryBootielicious]

Daniel Friendnd - what if he were dyslexic? Spelling and grammar shouldn't count for liability.

[@wordjunkie289]

@@fuadsawyer1054 I empathise with you. At our age, the fingers don’t tap accurately and we don’t always see the suggested word, especially when we are in a hurry. Daniel is probably a young man; we should cut him some slack. As for Fuad and all the others who commented who knew the names of several musicians in the orchestra, I salute you all with deep admiration of your musical knowledge.

[@fabriziofarena4684]

Grande Abbado. Immensi i Berliner!

[@antoninolatino5742]

Non sono i Berliner ma l'orchestra del festival di Lucerna orchestra insuperabile

[@winstonsmith101]

Claude and Claudio... Both are missed deeply

[@user-8d8h8t8b]

1:26 I 4:37 II 6:49 Coda 8:31 10:50 Ob. Fl. 11:45 Trp. 12:48 15:18 16:47 18:46 21:17 22:10 -end

[@-511]

Музыканты сами как МОРЕ !! движутся !!! Здорово !

[@sonicsnap1173]

Just fantastic! A moment of pure emotion.

[@potatoeslalala]

2nd movement is so good omgggggg

[@sarahbarten8033]

Gorgeous rendition. The conductor is a dancer and leads the orchestra as if on a dance floor. Watch the scenes of the orchestra from above. They move in unison to the arching phrases.

[@amaniealhindal8950]

So mesmerising

[@liciaamicone5595]

Musique merveilleuse et sublime.👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@albertoaguiardacruz7047]

SRa. Licia Micone por favor, não diga bobagens. mÚSICA MARAVILHOSA E SUBLIME? NUNCA. DEBUSSY NÃO TINHA DIGNIDADE E NEM HUMILDADE PARA COMPOR MÚSICA SUBLIME OU DE QUALQUER QUALIDADE SUPERIOR, SABE PORQUE? ELE SÓ SABIA FAZER CRÍTICA DESTRUTIVA A RESPEITO DOS COMPOSITORES DE QUE NÃO GOSTAVA.

[@bassoonistfromhell]

this is a really amazing performance

[@enryclaptone1668]

Indimenticabile M° Abbado, amatissimo.

[@BrendanSteffens]

My favorite rendition of the second movement in particular. By far.

[@Euroarts]

What do you think about the interpretation of this piece under the baton of Esa-Pekka Salonen? Click here to compare Claude Debussy's interpretation with Esa-Pekka Salonen's as conductors: kzbin.info/www/bejne/oamofpp-fNd0hq8

[@salvorizzo8671]

I rather prefer Abbado. Especially in the third part. Violins are so clear, and trumpets before codas are included on the partiture, instead they are missing on Salonen version

[@1987ulise]

I can't hear a great difference between both versions. Maybe this one have a better camera direction. Sorry for my ignorance and thanks!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Both are great. But Boulez is just way better than both of them!

[@wardropper]

Superb. Acoustics less dry than in Lucerne. If I were to compare the two, I'd say Salonen is a little heavier - more rhythm-conscious, so that one is sometimes aware that he is beating time and the music seems a bit laboured. It's that eternal search for longer phrases which characterizes masters like Abbado, who seems totally to "live" in the music, so that you don't even realize it is built from phrases. Beauty, feeling and perfect commitment triumph over the baton.

[@andreaskonig451]

So cool.

[@shin-i-chikozima]

This performance has the power of big waves off the coast of Shinagawa in Japan like the big wave of genius Katsushika Hokusai From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵

[@gabrielbairdmusic]

20:38 - 20:57 one of the most powerful orchestral moments for me

[@charltonprice6431]

Greatest conductor of the late 20th Century in La Scala Milan), Vienna, Berlin, and Lucerne -- with orchestras he created or rebuilt..

[@oofingtoodling9522]

23:22 someone just shouted woah. Honestly, I would too.

[@not2tees]

"If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die, I want to go where they went." Such is the quote from Will Rogers. If Debussy is not in heaven, then when I die . . .

[@gacha_tea6002]

Cool!! 👌🏻

[@colingordon8265]

Absolutely nailed it!!

[@lsrecords2473]

Simply wonderful!!

[@patriciosalinas8359]

Wonderful!!

[@kyowonjeong4860]

감사합니다 아바도

[@jansontang2094]

Those double basses at the end, there's so much pressure coming from there

[@arthurkosmala5422]

Brilliant recording :)

[@corneliakapelinski]

CLAUDIO ABBADO let us hear ' la mer' inside..it our personal " la mer"..he succeeds in dividing the sea und guiding us through.and let us feel every single drop of water..is spirituell how he conducts ..Debussy is part of his shamanic performance

[@FedericaCornelli]

Beautiful!

[@zwieglupglup]

Take all the best musicians of the world and put them together in one orchestra O.o !

[@mariabelunolli9406]

No, the Lucerne Festival Orchestra

[@aureliomoreira3860]

Beside this masterpiece... For those who doesnt know, Cláudio Abaddo is the maestro reponsible for making the best registry of Brahms Hungarian Dances ever!

[@konstanzaangelova3389]

thank you so much !!

[@user-mw2wq5vk9y]

Кращої музики в світі не існує, плачу від щастя❤❤❤

[@jorgealbertobaron1]

MASTERPIECE DICE JORGE ALBERTO BARON

[@hihernan8508]

4:36 para los fans de twoset

[@tamarvasquezhernandez7208]

Y yo que creía que era la única latina que veía ese canal ahora ya no estoy sola

[@naythre2498]

@@tamarvasquezhernandez7208 Sou brasileira e assisto também

[@Sofia-un2hn]

Obrigada 😂

[@imaginario7729]

@@naythre2498 Um amigo falante da língua portuguesa;) e tb sou fan já agr

[@gabrieldantas5867]

Brasil 🇧🇷

[@andrepires8294]

The critics back in that time said they didnt hear the sea at all. Funny thing is that I totaly hear a ship journey through the sea. I think some disney animation would help them.

[@TommasoRuggeriMusic]

Masterpiece.

[@hebemgabriel6991]

C'est très riche la façon comme Debussy exploite les cellos!!!

[@su_ha]

好きやわぁ

[@nivdel]

Abbado foi insuperável.

[@cocainehemp4700]

really love this performance