Ravel Monteux

[Exonian]

I have it on LP. I only bought it because PM conducted the premiere. As a performance I find it bit bit rushed and prefer Dutoit.

I think there is something in that - certainly I feel Monteux does have a bounce and spring in parts of the score. Dutoit/Montreal is another wonderful recording.

a bit of a cold fish". I think that his Ravel (Mother Goose, for instance) is anything but cold : I would with that agree very much - the opposite criticisms of Monteux could sometimes be made - too warm and cosy in some scores for some minds and ears.

For a cooler approach to D et C, there is always the 1975 Boulez/NYPO recording on CBS. Which perversely, I also like very much. Which tells more about my hopeless critical faculties more than the respective musical approaches.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

For a cooler approach to D et C, there is always the 1975 Boulez/NYPO recording on CBS. Which perversely, I also like very much. Which tells more about my hopeless critical faculties more than the respective musical approaches.

I don't think it does, Exonian - rather it demonstrates the multi-faceted nature of the score that it can thrive in all temperatures. Monteux, Martinon, Abbado, Boulez, Previn, Inbal - they all bring out very different aspects of this marvellous work by scrupulous attention to what Ravel wrote.


(Don't tell Alpie, but it's the Dutoit I find disappointing & lukewarm - only catching fire in the finale. Bought in my very first batch of CDs in January, 1985 for direct comparison with the LP. I've played it seven times in that 30+ year span, hoping something of the critical raptures it has received will communicate itself to me.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

(Don't tell Alpie, but it's the Dutoit I find disappointing & lukewarm - only catching fire in the finale. Bought in my very first batch of CDs in January, 1985 for direct comparison with the LP. I've played it seven times in that 30+ year span, hoping something of the critical raptures it has received will communicate itself to me.

I'll give the Monteux another chance.

[Beef Oven!]

(Don't tell Alpie, but it's the Dutoit I find disappointing & lukewarm - only catching fire in the finale. Bought in my very first batch of CDs in January, 1985 for direct comparison with the LP. I've played it seven times in that 30+ year span, hoping something of the critical raptures it has received will communicate itself to me.[/SIZE]

Well, how interesting. I have had the Dutoit for years (26). Bought it on the back of all the accolades. On listening, it didn't take off as expected, but persevered. Realised I was in cognitive dissonance. Bought the Rattle for salvation. Didn't work. I have ordered the Monteux hoping it will bring the full score version home to Papa (I have no problems with Karajan's suites).

Are we allowed to not like the Dutoit?

Should we stick with the suites? I bought the Naxos issues of the suites 1 & 2 in 1989 and they are great. Should've stuck?

P.S. I'm in the market for a Mother Goose (orch). Have the Naxos, 4 stars and Rattle, 3.5 stars. Any suggestions for a full five-plus starrer?

[Barbirollians]

Well, how interesting. I have had the Dutoit for years (26). Bought it on the back of all the accolades. On listening, it didn't take off as expected, but persevered. Realised I was in cognitive dissonance. Bought the Rattle for salvation. Didn't work. I have ordered the Monteux hoping it will bring the full score version home to Papa (I have no problems with Karajan's suites).

Are we allowed to not like the Dutoit?

Should we stick with the suites? I bought the Naxos issues of the suites 1 & 2 in 1989 and they are great. Should've stuck?

P.S. I'm in the market for a Mother Goose (orch). Have the Naxos, 4 stars and Rattle, 3.5 stars. Any suggestions for a full five-plus starrer?

Giulini

[Beef Oven!]

Giulini

You have this buffoon on ignore. Has your account been hacked?

[johnb]

Are we allowed to not like the Dutoit?

I bought the Dutoit D&C shortly after it was released on CD. I sounds gorgeous but I've always felt that something is lacking and listening to it is always something of an anticlimax for me (obviously something is lacking in my sensibilities). The Monteux/LSO is much more deeply satisfying for me.

Incidentally, I have the impression that Monteux has this knack of letting the music conducts "breath" and in the D&C recording he (or the engineer) manages the climaxes so they are almost overpowering.

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Well, how interesting. I have had the Dutoit for years (26). Bought it on the back of all the accolades. On listening, it didn't take off as expected, but persevered. Realised I was in cognitive dissonance. Bought the Rattle for salvation. Didn't work. I have ordered the Monteux hoping it will bring the full score version home to Papa (I have no problems with Karajan's suites).

Are we allowed to not like the Dutoit?

Should we stick with the suites? I bought the Naxos issues of the suites 1 & 2 in 1989 and they are great. Should've stuck?

P.S. I'm in the market for a Mother Goose (orch). Have the Naxos, 4 stars and Rattle, 3.5 stars. Any suggestions for a full five-plus starrer?

A bit like D&C, Mother Goose comes either as a "complete" ballet or as a Suite. The Suite was written first as a set of pieces for piano duet, which Ravel then orchestrated. This was later made into a ballet, for which he added extra Music (for scene changes, etc). I always much preferred the Suite (Barbi's right: Giulini is pretty much as good as it gets) until I heard Martinon's recording of the "complete" Music! His recording is available as a 3disc set of the (almost) complete orchestral works (including a terrific account of D&C that might just be what you're after) for less than £6 including P&P:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000UZ4EYI

[Beef Oven!]

I bought the Dutoit D&C shortly after it was released on CD. I sounds gorgeous but I've always felt that something is lacking and listening to it is always something of an anticlimax for me (obviously something is lacking in my sensibilities). The Monteux/LSO is much more deeply satisfying for me.

Exactly my experience. I have the PM on order

[Beef Oven!]

A bit like D&C, Mother Goose comes either as a "complete" ballet or as a Suite. The Suite was written first as a set of pieces for piano duet, which Ravel then orchestrated. This was later made into a ballet, for which he added extra Music (for scene changes, etc). I always much preferred the Suite (Barbi's right: Giulini is pretty much as good as it gets) until I heard Martinon's recording of the "complete" Music! His recording is available as a 3disc set of the (almost) complete orchestral works (including a terrific account of D&C that might just be what you're after) for less than £6 including P&P:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000UZ4EYI

Many thanks ferney, I've just ordered that Martinon set from Amazon.

[BBMmk2]

Claudio Abbado's very fine D et C suite no.2 is rather good, n'est pas?

[richardfinegold]

I discovered I have the Dutoit on my shelves. It sounds impressive but somehow doesn't seem "inside" the music the way that Monteux does. Another great version is Toscanini, but of course it is mono (bad mono at that), and the pure sensuality of the music won't be experienced. Both Toscanini and Monteux seem to fully appreciate the rhetoric of the Composer.
If only one could combine Toscanini's performance with Dutoit's sonics...

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Claudio Abbado's very fine D et C suite no.2 is rather good, n'est pas?

I haven't heard it, Bbm - but if it's anything near as good as his complete ballet recording, it will be

Pick your coupling - it's the same performance on both discs, though you might be wise to go for second hand if you'd prefer to waltz than to bolero:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00000E4EM

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000001GNK

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

I discovered I have the Dutoit on my shelves. It sounds impressive but somehow doesn't seem "inside" the music the way that Monteux does. Another great version is Toscanini, but of course it is mono (bad mono at that), and the pure sensuality of the music won't be experienced. Both Toscanini and Monteux seem to fully appreciate the rhetoric of the Composer.
If only one could combine Toscanini's performance with Dutoit's sonics...

Did Arturo record the whole ballet, rfg (he asked hopefully)?

[richardfinegold]

Did Arturo record the whole ballet, rfg (he asked hopefully)?

I've only heard the Suite, but I don't know if he did the whole work