Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune

Claude Debussy

Recordings

Top Choice

Herbert von Karajan / Berlin Philharmonic

mid-1960s

First choice. The beauty of sound, the lusciousness... it envelops you and carries you into that mystical, sensual world.

Also Worth Hearing

Leopold Stokowski / his symphony orchestra

1957 Full dimensional sound, gorgeous and vibrant.

If you thought Karajan was lush... This is a very long interpretation that really milks the beauty. May sound schmalzy to some, but it's gorgeous. A renowned recording.

Eugene Ormandy / Philadelphia Orchestra

1959

Beautiful sound and playing, maybe not as overtly luscious, a little more straight-laced.

Guido Cantelli / Philharmonia Orchestra

1954 Mono recording.

Very sensitive, warm, and beautiful interpretation.

Piero Coppola / Paris Conservatoire Orchestra

Early 1930s

Pioneering recording. More on the intense, dramatic side. Fascinating to hear.