BaL 24.02.24 - Ravel: Mother Goose [complete ballet]

[Pulcinella]

Only the suite but worth posting anyway, I hope, as it's with the score (so I can point out the 'make or break' moment in a performance as far as I'm concerned).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwZsrmxaAUU

[Pulcinella]

Only the suite but worth posting anyway, I hope, as it's with the score (so I can point out the 'make or break' moment in a performance as far as I'm concerned).
...

She acquits herself well!

It's the chord (and the lead in, in the bar before) at Figure 4 in the fifth movement (Le jardin féerique); the placing has to be absolutely spot on, but I do tend to get goose bumps whatever/however it's done. And then it's the horn parts a few bars on.
Absolute magic and sheer heaven.

PS: Listened to the Monteux yesterday, and though I can see (hear?) its appeal, he doesn't quite do it for me. That chord isn't quite the magical transformation that I relish. I wonder if it's the same magic moment that others have mentioned.

[richardfinegold]

Richard: The Presto site gave no details of movements or timing, so I wasn't able to say if it was a recording of the full ballet or just the suite. Happy to amend if you can give details. Thanks.

PS: The amazon.com site has this, which shows that the Paray is in fact just the suite.
Hard luck, Richard!

https://www.amazon.com/Debussy-Iberi.../dp/B0000057MF

I am going to have to say that I am only familiar with the Suite. I’ll seek out the whole ballet

[cloughie]

I am going to have to say that I am only familiar with the Suite. I’ll seek out the whole ballet

I’m sure you’ll love it. Along with Daphnis my favourite Ravel orchestral pieces.

[Barbirollians]

I have Monteux and Dutoit - both outstanding .

[richardfinegold]

I have Monteux and Dutoit - both outstanding .

I tried to find the Monteux on Apple yesterday without success

[Pulcinella]

I tried to find the Monteux on Apple yesterday without success

Richard: I don't know how the Apple search engine works, but this is the CD it's on (latest incarnation, I guess), which actually doesn't mention it on the cover.
Perhaps search for another item on the CD and see what crops up?

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7927503--ravel-orchestral-favourites

[richardfinegold]

Richard: I don't know how the Apple search engine works, but this is the CD it's on (latest incarnation, I guess), which actually doesn't mention it on the cover.
Perhaps search for another item on the CD and see what crops up?

https://www.prestomusic.com/classica...ral-favourites

Yes I saw that, which increased my frustration that Apple (which usually has a very broad catalog) doesn’t offer it.

[Maclintick]

It's the chord (and the lead in, in the bar before) at Figure 4 in the fifth movement (Le jardin féerique); the placing has to be absolutely spot on, but I do tend to get goose bumps whatever/however it's done. And then it's the horn parts a few bars on.
Absolute magic and sheer heaven.

PS: Listened to the Monteux yesterday, and though I can see (hear?) its appeal, he doesn't quite do it for me. That chord isn't quite the magical transformation that I relish. I wonder if it's the same magic moment that others have mentioned.

I think it must be. Monteux's "magical transformation" at fig.4, where he lingers almost-too-lovingly on the D♮in the flutes, 1st violins & cellos (retenu) against the resolving C major chord in the rest of the strings, is the polar opposite of the younger Pierre's cooler interpretation at the identical spot -- no surprise there, perhaps. Ravel conjures a blossoming warmth at that moment through an artfully simple transition to arco divisi basses, cellos (who've been pizz until fig 4 ) violas and seconds on that luminous C major -- a different Chord of Light to Papa Haydn's, of course, but equally miraculous.

[Pulcinella]

I must give Monteux another hearing then.
So far (as well as the YouTube and BBC MM performances) I've listened to the Monteux, Rattle, Dutoit, Martinon, Roth, Wilson, and both Boulez recordings.
The 'ideal imagined in my head' performance still proves elusive, but I found Bouiez on Sony most to my taste.

There are some really slow tempos taken in places, and some very odd sounds from the gong! Those were definitely not for repeated listening!
Maybe, as with The soldier's tale, I actually prefer the suite!

[Maclintick]

So far (as well as the YouTube and BBC MM performances) I've listened to the Monteux, Rattle, Dutoit, Martinon, Roth, Wilson, and both Boulez recordings.
The 'ideal imagined in my head' performance still proves elusive, but I found Bouiez on Sony most to my taste.

That's interesting. My comparative listening hasn't been nearly as exhaustive as yours, and I was judging LSO/Monteux against Boulez's later DG, so I must give his NYPO version a whirl. I don't know how relevant this is, but I find PB's CBS-era recordings of Debussy Images preferable in some respects to the later DG ones. Thanks for sterling work on the list, BTW

[Sir Velo]

I must give Monteux another hearing then.
So far (as well as the YouTube and BBC MM performances) I've listened to the Monteux, Rattle, Dutoit, Martinon, Roth, Wilson, and both Boulez recordings.
The 'ideal imagined in my head' performance still proves elusive, but I found Bouiez on Sony most to my taste.

There are some really slow tempos taken in places, and some very odd sounds from the gong! Those were definitely not for repeated listening!
Maybe, as with The soldier's tale, I actually prefer the suite!

The great thing about these BALs is the opportunity it gives one for one's own personal comparative listening. I have been back to my personal collection augmented with streaming to sample many of those recordings which are listed. This morning, listening on phones, I was struck by the level of detail and sheer virtuosity of the new Wilson recording with his scratch band of the cream of UK orchestral players, as well as the startlingly vivid recording. If it is not an immediate first choice, is there something about the performance which gives the feel of a concerto for orchestra rather than perhaps Ravel's most enchanting (and enchanted) score? Also, highly impressed with Boulez of course, but currently for sheer sense of delight the Martinon is giving me real pleasure. There is a sense that these players really understand and cherish the work.

[Pulcinella]

The great thing about these BALs is the opportunity it gives one for one's own personal comparative listening. I have been back to my personal collection augmented with streaming to sample many of those recordings which are listed. This morning, listening on phones, I was struck by the level of detail and sheer virtuosity of the new Wilson recording with his scratch band of the cream of UK orchestral players, as well as the startlingly vivid recording. If it is not an immediate first choice, is there something about the performance which gives the feel of a concerto for orchestra rather than perhaps Ravel's most enchanting (and enchanted) score? Also, highly impressed with Boulez of course, but currently for sheer sense of delight the Martinon is giving me real pleasure. There is a sense that these players really understand and cherish the work.

I too was impressed by the Wilson (having not been so taken with his Copland and his other SoL recordings).....until the last movement, which was a huge disappointment.
Previn and Cluytens lined up for this morning (liking the Previn very much so far). Will be interested to see if the Cluytens has the same feeling of the music being in the players' blood as the Martinon.
Which Boulez (or both)?
Others have commented on the relative worth of his later DG recordings compared to his earlier CBS/Sony ones, especially the Debussy that Mac mentions, but (for me) also much of his Ravel, Bartok, and Stravinsky (that earlier Rite, for example!).

PS: Huge thumbs up for Previn, apart from some uncharacteristic rather sloppy playing in (you guessed!) the final movement: lovely aural spread.
Fairly impressed with Cluytens too.

[Sir Velo]

Which Boulez (or both)?
Others have commented on the relative worth of his later DG recordings compared to his earlier CBS/Sony ones, especially the Debussy that Mac mentions, but (for me) also much of his Ravel, Bartok, and Stravinsky (that earlier Rite, for example!).

Sorry, should have clarified - it was the DG Berlin recording from 94. My interest is definitely piqued to listen to the CBS recordings though, most of which are on a bumper box set which I may well stream at some point.

PS: Huge thumbs up for Previn, apart from some uncharacteristic rather sloppy playing in (you guessed!) the final movement: lovely aural spread..

Which Previn? I'm guessing the LSO, so will add that to the list.

Currently listening to the Dutoit. This was very much a library choice when it first appeared on CD in the late 80s. However, I wonder if it is not just a little low voltage in comparison with some. It almost feels like a (very good) rehearsal rather than an actual performance.

[Pulcinella]

...

Which Previn? I'm guessing the LSO, so will add that to the list.

Currently listening to the Dutoit. This was very much a library choice when it first appeared on CD in the late 80s. However, I wonder if it is not just a little low voltage in comparison with some. It almost feels like a (very good) rehearsal rather than an actual performance.

Fair cop, ha, ha!
Yes: the LSO version (now coupled with his L'enfant, an earlier version of which I have on its own as an EMI Eminence release), streamed.

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7941327--ravel-lenfant-et-les-sortileges-etc

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/7996237--ravel-lenfant-et-les-sortileges

And yes, perhaps the Dutoit is a bit low voltage.

As you suggested earlier, this BaL has prompted quite a journey of exploration and discovery.