Ravel: Orchestral works
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: Maurice Ravel
Magazine Review Date: 1/1986
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 52
Mastering:
DDD
Catalogue Number: MK37289
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Boléro |
Maurice Ravel, Composer
French National Orchestra Lorin Maazel, Conductor Maurice Ravel, Composer |
| Rapsodie espagnole |
Maurice Ravel, Composer
French National Orchestra Lorin Maazel, Conductor Maurice Ravel, Composer |
| Alborada del gracioso |
Maurice Ravel, Composer
French National Orchestra Lorin Maazel, Conductor Maurice Ravel, Composer |
| (La) Valse |
Maurice Ravel, Composer
French National Orchestra Lorin Maazel, Conductor Maurice Ravel, Composer |
Author: Ivan March
These performances are available on one of the CBS mid-price Diamond series coupled with Offenbach's Gaite parisienne, Saint-Saens's Danse macabre and L'apprenti sorcier of Dukas. If you want all this music, you only have to pay the cost of a single mid-price LP, so that in effect the Ravel pieces are offered at bargain price. At that rate the CD costs three times as much. The recordings were made in 1984 and are digital, so obviously the CD offers better sound. The recording is brightly lit in the transatlantic manner and with a resonant acoustic the effect is spectacular in a garish sort of way. La valse is high powered with a mannered ending, but I enjoyed the rather sultry performance of the Rapsodie espagnole, while the Alborada is certainly brilliant.
However, if one turns to the Dutoit/Decca CD, which offers the same programme, one enters a different sound world altogether, far more subtle in its colouring. The playing is marvellously seductive throughout and Decca's recording, made in that gorgeously flattering St Eustache ambience, suits the music to perfection. Mata also offers fine performances and lustrous sound (RCA), but he omits La valse, so if you need this repertoire the Decca CD is the one to go for.'
However, if one turns to the Dutoit/Decca CD, which offers the same programme, one enters a different sound world altogether, far more subtle in its colouring. The playing is marvellously seductive throughout and Decca's recording, made in that gorgeously flattering St Eustache ambience, suits the music to perfection. Mata also offers fine performances and lustrous sound (RCA), but he omits La valse, so if you need this repertoire the Decca CD is the one to go for.'
Ravel: Orchestral works
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