Overture to 'Le Roi d'Ys' (Opera in three acts)
Valse de la cigarette from 'Namouna' (Ballet in two acts)
Suite No. 1 from 'Namouna'
Suite No. 2 from 'Namouna'
Symphony in G minor

French composer Édouard Lalo (1823-1892) considered himself to be first and foremost an opera composer, but ask anyone familiar with classical music to name a few of the more famous French opera composers of the 19th century and the names that come up the most are always Georges Bizet, Charles Gounod or Jacques Offenbach to pick but three, but no one ever mentions Édouard Lalo. After all, he composed only three operas, one of which was incomplete, and the only one performed during his lifetime was Le Roi d'Ys. Now if you were to ask anyone what their favorite Édouard Lalo work is, nine out of ten would mention his Symphonie Espagnole, a sort of Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in disguise. Not to say that Édouard Lalo has been neglected or overlooked amongst French composers, but it seems that along with some of his chamber music, the Symphonie Espagnole is the only piece that has enjoyed many recordings.

On the other hand, upon hearing highlights from his ballet Namouna, I'm immediately reminded of another 19th century French composer which is Léo Delibes. Their ballet scores have much in common. Vitality, powerful imagery, colorful orchestration, etc ... In other words, music that stands well on its own even away from the stage. In the audio clip below you can hear the influence of Hector Berlioz percolating through the orchestration. And once again here, from its imposing opening Prelude to the lively concluding Presto, conductor Neeme Järvi and the members of the Estonia National Symphony Orchestra convey all of its expressively evocative imagery, be it subtle or powerful.

Meanwhile, his one and only true symphonic work, the Symphony in G minor, Brahmsian in style and form, and with a touch of Hector Berlioz phantasy in its final movement, speaks of a composer on top of his trade. Hopefully, this new and eloquent Chandos release will enhance Lalo's standing and raise his name up a few notches within the echelon of influential 19th century composers.