Lucy Parham was the BBC's Young Musician of the Year in 1984 and has been building her career since then, although she is not represented in the current CD catalogue. This programme looks generous and useful, not least because there is nothing similar available; the nearest thing is Louis Lortie and the Fruhbeck de Burgos with the two Ravel concertos and Faure's Ballade, but on reviewing that disc I thought this normally outstanding Ravel player unconvincing.
Here, the Ravel also disappoints. The vivid first movement lacks spontaneity and hangs fire as we approach the lyrical second subject at 4'42''. Some of the brilliant piano figuration lacks definition, and the playing is no more than serviceable. Similarly, the famous melody of the Adagio, given first to piano alone, is lacking in magic; this theme is later played more convincingly by the cor anglais and Parham's lengthy final trill is uneven. The finale needs greater attack, and four right-hand semiquavers seem to be missing from the eighth bar of the piano passage at figure 24 (3'32''). The recording is nicely balanced, but Ravel's instrumentation can sound still more effective.
Although the other works are better, again not all the playing takes off. Faure's piece is short of charm, while Franck's Symphonic Variations need more effortless Gallic elegance. However, as I suggested at the start, this is a generous programme and collectors not already possessing Franck's Les Djinns should know that this ''symphonic poem with piano'' is a striking piece that is here quite persuasively done.'