The first production of Debussy's ballet Martyrdom of Saint Sebastian in 1911 was a resounding failure with Paris audiences, and its whirlpool of blatant homoeroticism and questionable taste resulted in a ban from the archbishop of Paris. The result of a chaotic collaboration between three controversial artists (Debussy, D'Annunzio, and Ida Rubinstein), Sebastian is a true curiosity--I, a lover of Debussy, find it unendurable. This fine performance by Michael Tilson Thomas and the London Symphony Chorus and Orchestra is of the concert version.
- Joshua Cody
Track listing:
1. I. La Cour des lys/The Court of Lillies: No. 1: Prélude. Lent – “Frere, que sera-t-il le monde” 7:47
2. No. 2: “Sébastien!” 2:06
3. No. 3: Danse extatique de Sébastien sur le charbons embrases. Assez animé – “Hymnes, toute l’ombre s’efface” 6:11
4. II. La Chambre magique/The Magic Chamber: No. 1: Prélude. Très modéré 3:46
5. No. 2: “Je fauchais l’epi de froment” 2:17
6. No. 3: “Qui pleure mon enfant si doux” 5:40
7. III. Le Concile des faux dieux/The Council of the False Gods: No. 1: Prélude. Modéré 1:57
8. No. 2: “Pàián, Lyre d’or, Arc d’argent!” 1:46
9. No. 4: “Avez-vous vu celui que j’aime?” 8:50
10. No. 5: “Ne pleurez plus!” 1:23
11. No. 6: “Io! Io! Adoniastes!” 0:43
12. No. 7: “Il est mort, la bel Adonis” 3:05
13. IV. Le Laurier blesse/The Wounded Laurel: No. 1: Prélude. Sombre et lent 4:22
14. No. 2: “Il est la, le Pasteur. Regardez” 3:56
15. No. 3: “Helas!” 6:35
16. V. Le Paradis/Paradise: No. 1: Interlude. Modéré 1:14
17. No. 2: “Gloire!” 4:39