I have Pizarro playing the Ravel. I do rather like the way he plays. Perhaps a little bias here, as he lives a few miles down the road from me!!!
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Don’t cry for me
I go where music was born
J S Bach 1685-1750 -
For those who might like to hear Ravel with an orchestra and instruments of late nineteenth to early twentieth century provenance, there's a fascinating disc by the group Anima Eterna conducted by Jos van Immerseel. Claire Chevallier plays the D minor concerto on an Erard piano from 1905, and it really sounds amazing on this instrument, perhaps less overwhelming in the climaxes, but very transparent. This shows in the orchestra playing as well, particularly at the opening where all those low sounds are beautifully differentiated.
The other works on the disc are, yes!! Bolero, Rapsodie Espagnole, the Pavane, and La Valse. Even the much maligned Bolero comes across very well.
For those interested, the disc is on the Zig Zag label, distributed by Harmonia Mundi, ZZ060901Comment
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Would there be much point? Or did Ravel compose the D minor with an early 20th century piano in mind?Originally posted by Ferretfancy View PostComment
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You took the words right out of my message box S_A!Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View Post
The concerto was composed in 1930 I think. I suppose it's vaguely interesting to hear what it might have sounded like on a piano that was 25 years old at the time, and played by an orchestra which hadn't bought new instruments since the previous century. But why?
Plus, bearing in mind Immerseel's flaccid 'Symphonie Fantastique', I'm not filled with confidence that he could deliver other than an academic exercise of a performance...
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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A perfectly valid point, but as the author of the booklet notes suggests, French musicians continued playing on older instruments for a long time, and Ravel as a young man certainly appreciated them.
Perhaps the test of the pudding is in the eating. I found the performances riveting, especially the D minor concerto, with the lighter sounding texture of the piano revealing a great deal of detail.
I certainly would not make it my top choice, but it should be heard.Comment
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Ff,
I seem to remember that recording of the Left Hand concerto being broadcast as the disc of the week in CD Review a few years ago. I found it both very interesting and enjoyable but I wouldn't choose it as my main recording of the piece.Comment
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"Immerseel's flaccid 'Symphonie Fantastique" - you'd need the polygrip on the old top set to get that across on radio with complete confidence, innitOriginally posted by Caliban View Post
Plus, bearing in mind Immerseel's flaccid 'Symphonie Fantastique', I'm not filled with confidence that he could deliver other than an academic exercise of a performance...
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Originally posted by amateur51 View Post"Immerseel's flaccid 'Symphonie Fantastique" - you'd need the polygrip on the old top set to get that across on radio with complete confidence, innit
Well thpotted !
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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Do any of you know a trio for flute, harp & I think viola? Many years ago someone told me that it's very beautiful & the most perfect music for a balmy summer's evening - but I've never heard it or thought of it until now.
I agree with everyon's enthusiasm; alborada, valse, daphnis & chloe, scheherazade are all stunning & so is bolero if you can imagine hearing it for the first time at a live performance.Comment
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You may well be thinking of the Debussy sonata for flute, viola and harp?Originally posted by Osborn View PostComment
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Are you thinking of the Trio for Flute Harp & Viola by the other genius French composer of the same era Debussy? If so yes and it's lovely!Originally posted by Osborn View PostComment
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Are you thinking of the Trio for Flute Harp and Viola by the other genius French composer of the same era Debussy? If so yes and it's lovely!Originally posted by barber olly View Post
Oh, I now see that someone else has just said almost the same thing...
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Originally posted by Serial_Apologist View PostAre you thinking of the Trio for Flute Harp and Viola by the other genius French composer of the same era Debussy? If so yes and it's lovely!
Oh, I now see that someone else has just said almost the same thing...
S_A please tell us you didn't write your second para completely independently of barber??? You went back and copied it over, right?
Otherwise: too weird
"...the isle is full of noises,
Sounds and sweet airs, that give delight and hurt not.
Sometimes a thousand twangling instruments
Will hum about mine ears, and sometime voices..."
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The wonderful Debussy Sonata is often paired on disc with the almost equally splendid Introduction and Allegro by Ravel (mentioned quite a few times on this Thread). Perhaps there is an association of ideas going on here?
Wha'evva: you will be doing yourself a huge favour, Ossy, if you get to know both works ASAP.
Best Wishes and Happy Listening.[FONT=Comic Sans MS][I][B]Numquam Satis![/B][/I][/FONT]Comment
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This reminds me of a few weeks ago at work when I had separate e-mails from two different people with exactly the same name and sent at precisely rhe same time.Originally posted by Caliban View Posttoo weird
Anyway, going back to Ravel...my absolute favourite piece is the complete Daphnis et Chloe. Have many recordings but wouldn't want to be without Boston SO/Munch, LSO/Monteux or BPO/Boulez. Next year (June 8) sees the centenary of the first performance.
As for Bolero and La Valse I love them! What's the problem?
"The sound is the handwriting of the conductor" - Bernard HaitinkComment
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