Almost everyone knows Bizet's L'Arlesienne from the two suites arranged from the incidental music he composed for the play in 1872. What is not generally known is that the suites (the first by Bizet, the second compiled by Ernest Guiraud) were later re-orchestrated, adding full symphonic dress to Bizet's economical yet penetrating instrumentation consisting of 26 players. The difference is instantly apparent as you listen to this recording of Bizet's original score: timbres are sharper, chords are more transparent, and local effects, like the organ and Provençal tambourine, add enticing color. That Bizet knew what kind of sound he was after is abundantly clear in his original conception, which also is more extensive, comprising a total of 11 numbers lasting more than 52 minutes. Some of the additional sections sound pretty much like incidental music--you know, background for the action on stage. But other numbers are self contained pieces, and a few, like the Pastorale (here much longer and with the added chorus) are real gems. The Orfeon Donostiara makes a purposeful contribution, providing dramatic narrative in mélodrames and entr'actes. Michel Plasson's otherwise committed conducting lacks wit and imagination, but the fine playing of the Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse, especially in the newly-raucous carillon, make the music a joy to get to know once again. I found this somewhat distantly recorded disc to be loads of fun, and while I'll not abandon the more lushly scored suites, I'll return to this when I want the real L'Arlesienne.

--Victor Carr