Debussy: La Mer; Prelude A L'apres-midi D'un Faune; Ravel: La Valse; Bolero Composer: Claude Debussy, Maurice Ravel Performer: Jeanne Baxtresser, Kenneth Radnofsky Conductor: Kurt Masur Masur's tightening of discipline after his arrival in 1991 proved tonic for an ensemble accustomed to the sometimes casual manner of their previous director, Zubin Mehta. His absorption of the Central European tradition and his healthy musicality elicited committed playing. Under Masur's guidance, the brass retained full-throated balance and impact, and the polished woodwinds acquired a greater elegance. The massed string tone remained a bit diffuse, but the swarthy tone of the Mehta years was replaced by trim, better-controlled playing that filled out the textures with rhythmic point. This Prélude à l'après-midi d'un faune shows these improvements, despite being overly spacious. The opening flute solo is far too languid and the oboe solo at 4:13 is similarly becalmed. That said, the performance is sensitive and well-organized; the tapered, vibrant strings are a pleasure; and the solo winds, given time to luxuriate, are extraordinarily beautiful.