Der Zauberlehrling (Fanfare Pour Précéder »La Péri« • La Péri • L'Apprenti Sorcier / Parade)

Released by Deutsche Grammophon in 1972, this recording features the Orchestre de l'Opéra National de Paris under the direction of Jean Martinon. The selection brings together Paul Dukas’s iconic symphonic scherzo L'Apprenti Sorcier, based on Goethe's poem, alongside his ballet La Péri and Erik Satie's Fanfare pour précéder 'La Péri'. This compilation reflects the label's mid-century commitment to high-fidelity French orchestral repertoire, utilizing the prestige of the Paris Opera orchestra to interpret works that define the impressionist and post-romantic transition.

The sleeve design follows the clean, minimalist aesthetic characteristic of Deutsche Grammophon's budget-conscious but quality-focused series from the early 1970s. By pairing Dukas with Satie, the curation highlights the intersection of whimsical narrative music and the refined French avant-garde. The release was well-received for Martinon’s precise, transparent conducting style, which eschewed excess sentimentality in favor of the rhythmic clarity essential to these particular scores.