Desert Island: Ravel Piano Concerto and Elgar Symphony

[gradus]

Elgar 2 for the woodwind and harp writing and the last movt for being as close to Elgar as I think we can get given that choice is limited to the symphonies. Don't think I'd take the Ravel although I like it, If it was Mother Goose, the choice would be tougher by far.

[Mr Pee]

If it was Mother Goose, the choice would be tougher by far.

Agreed- I'd take Mother Goose over either of the Piano Concertos.

Quite magical.

[Keybawd]

The Ravel G major with Michelangeli. I have learned and played both the Ravel concertos (badly) in my time - yes, I know that the LH concerto is 'greater' but there is something that pulls me back to the G major time and time again. Argerich has played the Ravel a lot in the past few years - I wonder whether it's because of her cancer treatment. She cancelled Prokofiev 1 recently but played Ravel G. Could that be because the Ravel G is less demanding?

Someone mentioned Michelangeli's trills in the first movement cadenza - no one has managed to make those trills glide like ABM (he does add a note or two to the score). I'm not "a technique queen" but ABM just makes the soaring sound of a flexatone here and it is musically so right.

Elgar 2 over Elgar 1. Despite number one's big tune and the big tune's return which leave me with goose-pimples; and despite the over-heavy orchestration of number 2, the second is such a wonderful rich work and would have to be my desert island Elgar symphony.

[johnb]

[QUOTE=Caliban;12667]On balance it would be the Ravel G major... or would it???? even as I'm typing, I'm missing the Left hand one..... Probably the Collard/Maazel recording - certainly, if it was the Left-hand I plumped for, as it's the best recording of that piece, for me (wonderful grumbling opening... and the tang of the French orchestra). But even in the G major, I prefer that performance (of the 7 or 8 recordings I own). There's a simplicity about Collard's way with the slow movement, and that's the movement that would swing it for me - it was one of my first discoveries in music, and has accompanied me in many key moments and places during my life.


Thanks for that tip. The LH concerto is such a wonderful piece. The music that is so atmospheric and evocative (... that opening). I'm always on the look-out for the elusive 'ideal' recording (or one that comes close to my imagining of what that would be).

[amateur51]

In Ravel Concerto in G you pays your money .....

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=unVFT...eature=related Michelangeli & Celibidache

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bUlBE...eature=related Argerich & Boreyko

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbI4c2os6YU Bernstein & Bernstein

[Thomas Roth]

Ravel left hand. So original and lovely. Entremont and Boulez. Elgar 1, Boult LPO (EMI), Previn RPO and many more.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Many thanks, amateur51, the last one brings back memories of seeing Bernstein play this work all those years ago.

[Mr Pee]

Just listened to Elgar 2 once again. Can I please take both Elgar symphonies and pass on the Ravel?

[Op. XXXIX]

Surprised no one has mentioned Handley's Elgar 2. I'll take that one to the desert island anyday!

[Nick Armstrong]

Surprised no one has mentioned Handley's Elgar 2. I'll take that one to the desert island anyday!

Well I plumped for Elgar 1 - but had it been No 2, Handley would have been right up there! For twenty years, it was the absolute top version for me (one of the climaxes in the slow movement, in his hands, is one of my great 'goose bump' moments). But the Boult LPO version of that symphony too, on Lyrita, is the one I have listened to most in the last year or so. Great to get another perspective on the piece... but I wouldn't say yet that it displaces Handley's. It's a cracker

[Nick Armstrong]

On balance it would be the Ravel G major... or would it???? even as I'm typing, I'm missing the Left hand one.....

Yes, that sums up the dilemma for me, Caliban.

I am extremely enthusiastic about the new Bavouzet readings on Chandos. I don't agree with the Guardian review that these
performances are too lightweight. Nor (for once) do I feel that the BBCSO is any hindrance to pleasure. Their lack of creamy
timbre makes for a most refreshing listen. Yan Pascal Tortelier is without peer in this repertoire surely ??
The opening of the Left Hand work is superbly characterised.

Alison, having caught up belatedly over the holiday with some unlistened-to bits of CD Review, I heard AMcG's piece about the two new recordings. I've bought (on downloads) the Bavouzet disc, and also the Aimard recording of the Left-Hand concerto with Boulez. The latter struck me as absolutely tremendous when I listened earlier - as Andrew M said, the pacing of the march sections is spot on, deliberate, menacing but also funky... Irresistible! Looking forward to seeing what I think of the Bavouzet/Tortelier.

(Decided against getting the Aimard G major, listening to extracts didn't impress me, and Bavouzet-Tortelier seems to me likely to be exactly the team for the job... Not right for Boulez somehow...)

[Alison]

Caliban

Thanks for that. I missed the AMcG piece. I have seen a couple of very positive reviews of the Bavouzet CD since posting my own comments.

I do hope you're not disappointed. Btw, someone, possibly your goodself, put me onto the Boult/Lyrita versions of the Elgar symphonies
and I have been totally won over by them.

[Nick Armstrong]

Caliban

Btw, someone, possibly your goodself, put me onto the Boult/Lyrita versions of the Elgar symphonies
and I have been totally won over by them.

I certainly did some raving about those Boult readings on Lyrita! Aren't they amazing? I'm so glad you're getting lots out of them. Electrifying performances and recordings!

[Nick Armstrong]

Caliban

Thanks for that. I missed the AMcG piece. I have seen a couple of very positive reviews of the Bavouzet CD since posting my own comments.

I do hope you're not disappointed.

PS I will report on the Bavouzet disc when I've had the chance to have a good listen!