Pianist Bertrand Chamayou on his 'Ravel Fragments' album
Friday, March 7, 2025
The French pianist offers a birthday tribute to a composer who occupies a very special place in his repertoire

Maurice Ravel was born 150 years ago today - on March 7, 1875 - and he is the subject of numerous tributes this season. Bertrand Chamayou recorded the complete piano works ten years ago for Erato ('No one who loves French music or exquisite piano-playing will want to miss this' wrote Patrick Rucker in Gramophone), a set that incidentally has just been released on LP. So, by way of a supplement, he has curated a programme that weaves a handful of Ravel transcriptions together with tributes and memorials by other composers.
James Jolly went to visit Bertrand at his home in Paris this week to talk about the new album, but also to discuss Ravel's place in the pianist's repertoire.
This Gramophone Podcast is given in association with Wigmore Hall, where over coming days you can see musicians including Gramophone Award-winners Helen Charlston and Toby Carr, Steven Isserlis, Leif Ove Andsnes and members of the Mahler Chamber Orchestra.
To hear other Gramophone podcasts, or to subscribe for free to new editions, search for 'Gramophone' in your Podcast App of choice, or visit Gramophone's page on Apple or Spotify.
You can listen to Bertrand Chamayou's Erato album, 'Ravel Fragments' via Presto Classical, below.