The first two volumes in this series of Debussy’s complete orchestral works were, to put it kindly, pretty uninteresting, but this latest release is much better. Granted, the Images comes across as a touch rough and ready, but the energy and lack of impressionist fog in Gigues and Rondes de printemps is refreshing. And let’s face it: Iberia can take a gutsy approach in its outer movements, and Jun Märkl has the orchestra responding with unflagging enthusiasm. Nor is he at all insensitive in Les parfums de las nuit. The couplings, as with other discs in this series, consist of shorter works and orchestrations by other hands, and they also are very well done. So if the repertoire selection appeals to you, then this well-recorded issue merits a place in your collection.
