London SO, Debussy: Clair de Lune, conducted by Stanley Black, paintings by J. A. Grimshaw.

#debussy #clairdelune #londonsymphony
This video of Debussy's Clair de Lune contains moonlight paintings by the Victorian painter John Atkinson Grimshaw. I extracted this audio from a vinyl I own using my turntable and I chose the paintings and their order of appearance.

I already had posted a of this recording on my other YouTube channel where I also post my compositions, but the other video shows works by several different painters. I am always searching the internet for new paintings and painters that I have never seen before. I discovered Grimshaw's paintings several years ago and I thought they were astounding. Could not resist the temptation of blending them with this arrangement.

Anyway, in this recording Stanley Black conducts his arrangement of Clair de Lune with the London Symphony Orchestra on the spectacular Phase 4 album "Gems for Orchestra". This vinyl version is not available on CD as far as I am concerned. It is the most moving orchestra version of Clair de Lune I have ever heard in my life (although there are others that are also amazing). In this one the orchestra sounds large and powerful, but the sound is never violent but rather delicate and very expressive. The phrasing is perfect, the tempo is deliciously slow, and the basses have some memorable moments. I believe this was accomplished by the combined talents of the arranger/conductor, the most excellent members of the London Symphony Orchestra, and the people involved in the recording process (the quality of the recording itself borders on the heavenly and sublime).

I am also fascinated by the return of the first theme in minute 3:42; the violins play so delicate and expressively in the high register. I am not sure if the section is reduced in this passage or if the entire violin section is just playing extra-pianissimo. But I have never heard a more effective orchestration of this moment. Other orchestral arrangers use the oboes, or maybe the flutes, and they have their own charm, but the way the soft strings appear here is just breath taking, and then, at the end of the phrase at minute 4:21 the basses have their most spectacular culminating moment. Maybe Debussy did not expect a climax there, but then he never made an orchestra version of this piece. Sometimes different settings demand different approaches to the rendering of an idea.

[roberttine]

My 12 yr.old granddaughter dedicated this piece to me for my 76th birthday. She played it flawlessly and brought tears to my eyes.

[WhereArtThouCookie]

Right now, in the midst of a most difficult time, I feel quite gifted to have experienced listening to this beautiful arrangement.

[johnprudent]

While the lone piano version has a delicate beauty all its own, this orchestral version also beautiful and yet majestic.

[Jim]

What a beautiful marriage between music and visual artistry!

[HugoBonami]

This arrangement has a very "1960's movie ending soundtrack" feel to it. It's beautiful.

[Leshay]

I finally found it!!!
This version is perfection.
Some arrangements move too quickly (particularly at the end). I love how this version is deliberate. Largo. This song just takes me away, and I don’t want to come back. 💕

[jkarpet]

I listen to this when I use my telescope and look at the cosmos, staring at the powerful rings of Saturn or the demanding craters of the moon with this playing makes me feel like I’m floating

[gnjoiner]

I remember my little brother asking our mom to play Claire de Lune on the piano many years ago. With that in the back of my mind, I performed this beautiful piece at her memorial service on my clarinet.

[dr.bignuts]

Ive never listened to classical music or orchestral music before listening to this, and the first time I ever listened to this was a magical experience. It is truly the most beautiful sound I have ever heard in my life and the first work of music to ever make me cry. I love it.

[Kathleen-hdee]

I have Mr. Debussy, Mr. Grimshaw, yourself, and this site to thank. I fell in love with Mr. Grimshaw's Round Hay Lake painting and purchasing it on quality, non-acid paper, beautifully framed. We live very near a place just like that and I see myself and my husband standing there gazing at a very similar site. We are in our mid-70's now and I like to believe we could be like that together, forever. Thank you for bringing this, one of my most favorites of Mr. Debussy and beautiful artwork together for all of us appreciate.

[ellec]

_This_ is what living in a fairytale would sound like. ♥️

[shin-i-chikozima]

Debussy’s music is the stronghold of my soul

Debussy’s music makes me feel better

[RogerioDec]

That's the most beautiful music ever composed

[aubrey]

This is the song that has always made me think of only the good, and dreamy parts of this life. The love you share with others. Laying on the cool grass on a summer evening just looking at the stars and listening to the crickets chirp. The breeze gently blowing through the trees, bringing in the smell of rain. My grandma's flower garden, and how it seemed so magical with it's big fat furry bumblebees. Grandma's hands that would dig in the garden, and feed me the best food, and pull me close for a long hug. Sitting on the front lawn with neighbors and watching the fireworks on the 4th of July. Watching my children run and play and laugh. The comfort I feel when I'm in my sweetheart's arms...
Nothing but good things with this song. Thank you for posting it. ♥️

[SupaUgly_One]

One of my favorite arrangement of Clair de Lune. I played it a thousand times but it still make me cry. It's just perfect

[nadirbelmokhtar]

This is a masterpiece and have managed to become a part of me, I love the part at 4:42, I always close my eyes and just smile, always, i feel like everything is alright. Hope you have a fantastic day, dear reader and listener.

[leslieMClass]

I think this is one of the most beautiful renditions of this song I have ever heard. Thank you for sharing it. I have it saved now to my play list ❤

[lisfish]

The paintings evoke the piece’s wistful, nostalgic air perfectly.

[ameralameri]

Some times when iam hearing this i think about Friends that i have lost.
Other times about last moments in this life.
Some times about my love and other times about how much i miss being free... I could write all day long. It is such a complex piece of Art. Such masterpiece gives me the kind of pleasure i wish from life.
If ever someone reads this please excuse my english.

[Lynn-eips]

This is an experience that every fiber of my being is moved by. Oh, the gorgeous tapestry, every note played by every instrument in concert for us to partake of.Just pure beauty.