Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole; Valse [Import]

On this CD:

1. La valse, poème choréographique for orchestra (or piano)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Orf Choir and Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Milan Horvat

2. Rhapsodie espagnole for orchestra (or 2 pianos)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Orf Choir and Symphony Orchestra
Conducted by Milan Horvat

3. Rhapsodie espagnole for orchestra (or 2 pianos)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Slavonica Philharmonia
Conducted by Henry Adolph

4. Daphnis et Chloé, suite No. 1 for orchestra
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Slavonica Philharmonia
Conducted by Loic Bertrand

5. Daphnis et Chloé, suite No. 2 for orchestra
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Slavonica Philharmonia
Conducted by Loic Bertrand

Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole; Valse, Music, Maurice Ravel, Henry Adolph, Loic Bertrand, Milan Horvat, Philharmonia Slavonica, Orf Chor und Symphonieorchester, 20th/21st Century Orchestral Music, Classical, Orchestral, Suite for Orchestra

Ravel: Bolero; La Valse; Rapsodie Espagnole [Hybrid SACD]
Average customer rating:

A must-listen for audiophiles

Grandes, buenas y no muy buenas interpretaciones

Outstanding Performances

In a class of its own

Ravel: Bolero; La Valse; Rapsodie Espagnole [Hybrid SACD]

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe [Hybrid SACD]

ASIN: B0006PV5US
Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

Bolero
La Valse
Prelude A La Nuit
Malaguena
Habanera
Feria
Gigues
Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins
Les Parfums De La Nuit
Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete
Rondes De Printemps

Customer Reviews:

A must-listen for audiophiles.......2006-07-15

RCA is leading the way in releasing hybrid SACDs at mid-price, after a decade when we were asked to pay a hefty premium for the new technology. They have selected choice itmes from the Living Stereo catalog, and as a result RCA's reisues are at the forefront of the industry. Munch's famous collection of Ravel and Debussy from the Fifties has always been an audiophile favorite, but its SACD incarnation, even if you listen through two-channel stereo instead of surround sound, is impeccable for spaciousness and detail

Munch's interpretations are self-recommending. Boulez and Karajan surpass these readings in finesse and precision, but Munch brought excitment to French music without undue sophistication and fussiness. The wind solos in Bolero, for example, aren't self-conscoiusly nuanced; they are played for direct, sometimes brash impact and the thrill of Ravel's orchestral magic. The same holds true for everything else here.

Grandes, buenas y no muy buenas interpretaciones.......2006-07-13

El contenido artístico de este Hybrid SACD contempla obras impresionistas de los titulares franceses.

Por un lado, Ravel, con su Bolero y bajo la dirección de Munch, a mi gusto no llena la expectativa comparado con otras opciones disponibles de esta obra. Lo que Munch no alcanza, es ese nivel de tensión creciente conforme también crece la riqueza orquestal de la obra, la cual debería interpretarse como un crescendo constante hasta alcanzar el climax; en el caso de Munch, arranca bien, pero se mantiene relativamente constante en el medio de la obra y el climax aparece casi exclusivamente en la última recapituación del tema principal.

La Rapsodie Espagnole, otra obra subproducida en interpretación; por largo están otras que, sin necesariamente ser las mejores, superan a esta rendición, como por ejemplo Giulini con la Orquesta Sinfónica de Chicago, también con la Filarmónica de Los Angeles o Karajan en su última rendición de esta misma obra...

Por el lado de La Valse, la realidad cambia drásticamente y encontramos una calidad artística de muy alto nivel en lo referente a esta obra; obviamente, ayuda en mucho la tecnología DSD y el sonido obtenido a través del SACD. Bien podría erigirse como la referencia en lo que respecta a la misma.

Finalmente, Debussy con sus Imágenes para Orquesta, cuyo sonido es intoxicantemente delicioso, no así la consistencia de la interpretación, la cual presenta momentos sublimes de inspiración y otros muy lejanos a este estándar.

No me cabe la menor duda de que el Sr. Munch fue un gran ícono en su época; no obstante, su época se encuentra en el pasado y podríamos obtener mayor calidad interpretativa en grabaciones más recientes, a excepción segura, de lo referido en La Valse.

Por último, el sonido obtenido a través del DSD y SACD compra el tiquete para disfrutar este CD con el mejor sonido que se pueda obtener de estas interpretaciones históricas, lo cual en muchos casos los tienen muy bien merecido, como en la gran mayoría de lanzamientos realizados por RCA de las interpretaciones de Fritz Reiner.

Outstanding Performances.......2005-10-19

Munch and the Boston Symphony combine the ultimate in orchestra playing with a power and muscularity sometimes missing in these works. This RCA issue is also one of the best transfers of LP to CD, with solid bass and even some bloom from the horn player's instruments.
It's amazing to realize one would have had to spend more for this recorded music when it first came out than we pay today.
If you enjoy this issue the entire series of reissues of orchestra music by RCA is very good. Especially not to be missed is Reiner's performances of Bartok.

In a class of its own.......2005-10-18

It's clear that RCA must be the champion of re-release and re-packaging, but then again this famous Ravel/Debussy disc from the mid-fities in the Living Stereo series remains in a class of its own. The winning combination of Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony musicians set standards of orchestral virtuosity, sense of atmosphere (one can really smell the fragrances of the night in Debussy's "Images") and full-blooded excitement that have hardly ever been equalled, let alone surpassed. And very few have proven more authoritative and eloquent than Charles Munch in the French repertory.

Available now in convincingly enhanced SACD sound quality (which is indeed an improvement of its previous CD-guises in clarity, warmth and pure sonic impact), this is one of the greatest discs of Ravel and Debussy of all time.

Ravel: Boléro; La Valse; Rapsodie espagnole; Alborada del gracioso; Le Tombeau de Couperin

Average customer rating:

Haunting Ravel from Paris
Karajan Conducts Ravel: Hot French/Spanish Music

Ravel: Boléro; La Valse; Rapsodie espagnole; Alborada del gracioso; Le Tombeau de Couperin

Manufacturer: EMI Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B000A2H7QS
Release Date: 2005-08-02

Tracks:

Alborada Del Gracioso ('Miroirs' No.4) Rapsodie Espagnole
I. Prelude A La Nuit
II. Malaguena
III. Habanera
IV. Feria
I. Prelude
II. Forlane
III. Menuet
IV. Rigaudon
La Valse - Poeme Choregraphique
Bolero - Berliner Philharmoniker

Customer Reviews:

Haunting Ravel from Paris.......2006-02-13

There are magical sounds on this CD that no one else, not even Boulez, has ever extracted from Ravel's socres. The Rapsodie espagnole in particular, taken almost at a stasis and often in a whisper, is transformd. No longer a glossy also-ran to Debussy's Iberia, the work is spellbinding, entirely due to Karajan's ability to get the Orchestre de Paris (which he briefly led, along with Berlin and Vienna--an achievement never duplicated) to play with transcendent refinement.

The La Vale is equally hypnotic--Karajan finds more than a touch of the ghostly painter Redon in these melancholy, eerie works. EMI's sound is a bit distant but very detailed and natural. As a non-lover of Ravel, I must concede that this is great music when played at such a level.

Karajan Conducts Ravel: Hot French/Spanish Music.......2005-10-02

This remastered recording features Karajan in his prime conducting Ravel music with both the Orchestra De Paris and Berlin Philharmonic. The sound is terrific and the rich melodic and seductive music of Ravel's take on Spanish music has never sounded hotter. The Bolero was made famous through its use in the film "10" with Dudley Moore, Bo Derek and Julie Andrews. It was music that Bo Derek's character intended to hear while making love. Maurice Ravel, a French composer of the turn of the century and early twentieth century, was highly influenced by the music of France's southern neighboor Spain. The music is very Spanish in nature and very sexually-charged. To the best of my knowledge, Zubin Mehta's rendition of the Bolero is the best, though Bernstein and Karajan really deliver it with sizzling hot intensity. La Valse, composed when Ravel's mother died, is sumptuous, slow and develops into a wild frenzy, all done with great orchestral virtuosity. The energy of the Rapsodie Espagnole has never soundes so vibrant and the Alobrada del Gracioso is charming. The melancholy and Baroque-style Tomb of Couperin is also a winner. EMI continues to be the foremost record label of classical music, along with Deutsche Grammophone. They have even surpassed RCA which seems to have faded away and continues to market only pieces that have been on the market for years. Any true fan of classical music, of Maurice Ravel and Herbert Von Karajan, will want to buy this recording. It is excellent.

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suites; Rapsodie espagnole; etc.

Average customer rating:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suites; Rapsodie espagnole; etc.

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

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Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music
ASIN: B0002DD67E
Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

Daphnis Et Chloe Suite No. 1
Daphnis Et Chloe Suite No. 2
I. Prelude A La Nuit
II. Malaguena
III. Habanera
IV. Feria
La Valse
Bolero

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Debussy: Images

Average customer rating:

Excellent collection
Top-rank Bolero; a must-have disc

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Debussy: Images

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

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Wagner without Words
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ASIN: B000003FMW
Release Date: 1994-03-15

Tracks:

Bolero
La Valse
Rapsodie espagnole: Prelude a la nuit
Rapsodie espagnole: Malaguena
Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera
Rapsodie espagnole: Feria
Images For Orchestra: Gigues
Images For Orchestra: Iberia: Par les rues et par les chemins
Images For Orchestra: Iberia: Les parfums de la nuit
Images For Orchestra: Iberia: Le matin d'un jour de fete
Images For Orchestra: Rondes du printemps

Amazon.com

Charles Munch was the opposite of the "intellectual" school of French conductors, as typified today by Pierre Boulez. He was a completely spontaneous artist, which is what made him the great Berlioz conductor of our time, and literally anything could happen when he got up onto the podium. It follows then, that his Ravel is not going to be the sort of hyper-precise, calculated sort of interpretation that many fans of the composer expect, but it will be exciting as hell. These three pieces are shrewdly chosen; they are the composer's most extrovert works, and Munch pulls out all of the stops in his performances of them. A classic recording, and a great memento of a unique artist. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Excellent collection.......2002-05-03

During Munch's tenure as conductor in chief of the Boston Symphony (1949-62), it was often referred to as the world's finest french orchestra. Why? Because the woodwinds and brass had a somewhat nasal and pointed sound, characteristic of French ensembles, but with significantly greater orchestral silkiness of tone, precision, and virtuosity, on a par with the world's finest orchestras. It is these characteristics, together with the volatile, intense nature of Munch's style, which makes these performances a very effective combination of sensuality, fire and elegance. The same is true of Munch's La Mer and Escales (Ports of Call), coupled with the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony on another Living Stereo album.
A very worthwhile purchase!

Top-rank Bolero; a must-have disc.......2000-09-04

Charles Munch imbued his interpretations of the French classics with a unique vitality and enthusiasm. In particular, he injected more insistent percussion and bolder brass into these works than any other conductor I've yet found (his Symphonie Fantastique, also in the RCA Living Stereo series, is a classic example of his art). And it all works so well. No pulled punches on the podium, and certainly no yawns in the seats. Even if you have other versions of these works that you love well, give this a shot. The Bolero alone is worth the price of the disc.

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Pavane pour une infante défunte

Average customer rating:

Powerful and Sensuous
Wow--What a La Valse
A truly terrifying La Valse

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Pavane pour une infante défunte

Manufacturer: RCA
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

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ASIN: B000003EPQ
Release Date: 1991-07-05

Tracks:

Bolero
Rapsodie espagnole: Prelude a la nuit
Rapsodie espagnole: Malaguena
Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera
Rapsodie espagnole: Feria
Pavan For A Dead Princess
La Valse
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Customer Reviews:

Powerful and Sensuous.......2004-05-22

I thought it would be interesting to compare performances of some of the major works of Ravel by listening to recordings of three long acknowledged masters of mainstream French repertoire---Pierre Monteux, Charles Munch and Jean Martinon. On their discs, all three offer nearly identically recorded selections, though Martinon's is a two disc set which includes some additional fine works by the composer. One other difference is that Munch plays the original Suite From Mother Goose, whereas Monteux and Martinon provide us with Ravel's later, sequence altered and more complete ballet version. Obviously, there are variations in the interpretations as well as sound quality given to each. Also, each conducts a different orchestra. Monteux has the London Symphony, Munch the Boston Symphony and Martinon the Orchestra de Paris. To keep the playing field level, my comments will concern only those recorded pieces that are common here to the three cds.

Bolero, of course, is not only Ravel's most popular composition, but also one of the favorites of the entire classical repertoire. Many have enjoyed its exotic strains, though some attest it has been overexposed and have "gotten tired of it". Nevertheless, each presents a fine performance, but I believe Martinon's is the most impressive in both sonics and interpretation. Those characterful French woodwinds certainly do sing. Moreover, the sound is cleaner than that given to the others, and the perspective on the orchestra is close to ideal. Monteux's version, however, is solid. It is straightforward and musical. Munch's strength comes in the last portions of the piece....The Rhapsodie Espagnole is one of my favorites. Here, once again, Martinon scores with a reading that captures best the sense of color, sensuous atmosphere and flair the work is full of. Munch's Symphony Hall sound in Boston gives the music's body warmth and richness, and he too offers a fine reading. Monteux seems only slightly less interesting than the others....La Valse is also one of my favorites. Here, all three present enjoyable accounts. Monteux brings a nice rhythmic lilt and a hint of playful, romantic charm. Munch emphasizes drive and elan, though he borders on being boisterous at times. Martinon sings with lyricism and luxurious sensuality....Pavane For a Dead Princess is another wonderful work. Munch takes top honors here by imparting an air of nobility and an almost timeless quality. There is also some very beautiful harp playing....Finally, in Ma Mere l'Oye (Mother Goose) again, all three give very fine performances. Munch has superb dynamics and is colorful and tuneful. Monteux is poignant and loving. Martinon lays things out very clearly and nicely. There is an easy yet animated flow to his presentation, and it displays plenty of the atmosphere of child-like spirit and fantasy. Yes, overall, I tend to favor Martinon, but there's a lot to appreciate in Munch and Monteux. I really don't think you will go wrong with any of these choices. There's a whole lot of marvelous music to enjoy here.

Wow--What a La Valse.......2002-02-05

If you were to ask me the one reason the buy this CD, it would be for Munch's La Valse. It is absolutely spectacular. I remember the first time I heard this piece when I was younger, but never had it this much power.

The compilation itself is a must. Munch was considered to have been the foremost Ravel interpreter of his time (today, it's Charles Dutoit). The Bolero is quite brilliant, and Munch touches-up the score at the end enough for the effect he wanted, but discretely enough as not to distort Ravel's score. It's one of the most exciting Boleros I've heard.

The Pavane is not a piece I'm particularly fond of by itself, but I believe Munch conducts it superbly and the horn solo is quite full of longing.

The Rapsodie Espagnole is another winner in this compilation. The finale of the last movement is exquisite, Munch bringing out a very Stravinsky-esque quality from it (Stravinsky and Ravel both studied with Rimsky-Korsakov, the first master orchestrator).

The Mother Goose Suite is a piece I first encountered in my high school orchestra. I really didn't appreciate the work until this performance with Munch and the BSO. One can really see pictures in the mind's eye through his interpretation. The third movement is my personal favorite. He gives it just the right taste. Another recording to check out is the one Michael Tilson-Thomas made with the Philharmonia (I believe).

The La Valse is amazing and breathtaking througout. The opening has just the right ammount of tension to foreshadow the climactic ending, but just enough to give way to the playful melody that follows. One can really hear Strauss' sound in the waltz, with a Ravel twist. The finale is fantastic and may terrify the weak of heart. The BSO is right on the heel of Munch and he's got them by the reins, giving just the right ammount of tension. Munch's control and restraint that gave this piece that tension would have made Toscanini proud!

A must recording, it's not just one to get, but THE one to get.

A truly terrifying La Valse.......2000-07-17

This was one of my first classical discs which I bought in 1963. It trumpeted the RCA Dynagroove process, had Bolero on the first side and Pavane and La Valse on the other side. This CD now includes Rapsodie Espagnole and Mother Goose, both recorded in the late 1950s. All of the pieces would be fine first choices for a basic library. The Bolero is powerful with Munch adding extra drums for the finale, though Munch speeds up the tempo during the piece. The Pavane is a rather quick runthrough, but James Stagliano's horn solo is quite beautiful. The CD's biggest selling point is the La Valse. As Munch conducts it, this has to be one of the most terrifying pieces ever composed, up there with Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin and Stravinsky's Le Sacre de Printemps. The BSO is right there with him all the way. Both the Rapsodie and the Mother Goose are quite beautiful. As usual, Richard Mohr and Lewis Layton did a marvelous job of recording these pieces.

Average customer rating:

Terrific Performances - FABULOUS Sound
A Most Sinister La Valse! Excitement Abounds!
very good to among the best available.
This is how it's done

Ibert: Escales; Ravel: Rapsodie, etc

Manufacturer: Philips
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Chabrier: España, rhapsody; Bourrée fantasque
Bizet: Carmen Suite; Arlésienne Suites Nos. 1 & 2; Thomas: Mignon & Raymond Overtures
Paul Paray Conducts Dances of Death
Dorati Conducts Satie, Milhaud, Auric, Françaix & Fetler
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ASIN: B0000057KL
Release Date: 1990-09-12

Tracks:

Escales (Ports Of Call): 1. Rome - Palermo
Escales (Ports Of Call): 2. Tunis - Nefta
Escales (Ports Of Call): 3. Valencia
Rapsodie espagnole: 1. Prelude a la nuit
Rapsodie espagnole: 2. Malaguena
Rapsodie espagnole: 3. Habanera
Rapsodie espagnole: 4. Feria
Alborada del Gracioso
Pavane pour une Infante defunte
La Valse
Le tombeau de Couperin: 1. Prelude
Le tombeau de Couperin: 2. Forlane
Le tombeau de Couperin: 3. Menuet
Le tombeau de Couperin: 4. Rigaudon

Customer Reviews:

Terrific Performances - FABULOUS Sound.......2002-07-03

Paul Paray was a great conductor and contributed a great deal to the musical heritage of Detroit even if that isn't remembered as deeply as it should be. I bought this disk because of his musicianship and expected it to be full of wonderful performances and somewhat old sounding recording.

I was wrong. It is full of wonderful performances and amazing sound. The power and depth of the sound is some of the best I have ever heard. They should still make recordings this way because a lot of the new stuff doesn't sound as good.

I want to get more of these Mercury Living Presence 35mm recordings. Wow!

And - remember that there is not such thing as too much Ravel (at least I don't think there is).

A Most Sinister La Valse! Excitement Abounds!.......2002-05-12

I have to admit something, My first EVER Classical rocording bought was Bernstein's Version of Ravel's Music on a CBS Cassette and it included "La Valse" as well as "Bolero" "Daphnis and Chloe Suite #2" and "Alborada Del Gracioso" I must as well admit that the impetus was because i had seen for the first time Torvill and Dean Skate to "Bolero" otherwise i had not known what this inspired piece of music was until then. when i got the Cassette i played it into submission. now onto modern times! as much as i revere that aforementioned recording, i have to say that Ravel's music is not as well glorified by any other conductor as with Paray. His Touch is not in the most remote terms Genteel or Rarefied. In fact they are Cruel, almost Sadistic in their whiplash treatments of music, The Sarcasm and cold French Wit of the music more severe and Overt than in anybody else's hands. and that's the Glory! The Humour is Very obvious, but as in the "La Valse" the humour is seen through extremely bitter eyes. Ravel was very upset by the events of the world when he wrote this Sinister commentary on the Light-Hearted Gaiety of Johann Strauss, but here, as i have often commented to friends, "La Valse" sounds like Danny Elfman had Reworked the Score to the Movie "Sabrina" Like some Berlioz Opium drenched Vision of Walt Disney's "Fantasia" Sarcastic as well as Caustic, "La Valse" is anything BUT pretty Ballroom Music, It's a embittered Commentary on a bygone era and Paray and his Detroit Band wring every ounce of Bitter Disillusionment and anger out of this Masterwork of Ravel. Not that they miss the inherent Wink and a Smile attitude of the music, in places it is as elegant as anything Johann the younger ever wrote, even that other Strauss writer of Fabulous Waltzes, Richard. but to simply view the Veneer of this work and not go beyond the surface to hear the Vituperation and Bitterness is to not understand this work. Paray is Again, Savage, Merciless, and never Clinical or Dry or Academic, he feels the "Frenchness" of this "Valse" and brings his "In-The-Know" French Sensibility to all of these works! his vision of "La Valse" sweeps all others under the rug and his Band responds eloquently and fiercely as the baton and conductor dictate! "Alborada" seems like the Little Sister to the Big Sister "La Valse" and Paray conducts it with the same Sinister and Vicious approach that makes "La Valse" ring in ones head for a long time after hearing this version. Memorable doesn't even come close to categorizing this performance. By far the Must-Have Versions of these Fantastically "French" Works!

very good to among the best available........2002-05-06

Paray is one of the best conductors in this repertoire. His performances are, in general, marked by somewhat dry, lean textures and crisp, driving rhythms, leavened, however, by enough nuance and suppleness of phrasing to bring out the distinctive character of this music. As to this particular collection, my only caveats are that the Rhapsodie is somewhat staid and square, lacking either the sensuous warmth of the Martinon-Chicago, or the fiery impulsivity of the Munch-Boston, both on RCA. Also, the first movement of Escales (Rome-Palermo) lacks the contrast between the languor of the opening passages and the driving tarantella rhythms that follow, which Munch achieves very tellingly in his Boston recording. On the other hand, Le Tombeau is my favorite because Paray's light, crisp approach brings out the dance rhythms more effectively than in other performances I have heard, and the La Valse has all the fire and drive of the Munch-Boston, but with nuances of phrasing that impart more subtlety to this piece than in Munch's more one dimensional approach. Lovers of Ravel should get this collection.

This is how it's done.......1999-02-13

Paul Paray premiered Ibert's Escales and has a remarkably clear-eyed view of it. He was 75 when he made this, his second, recording of it with the Detroit Symphony. Eschewing the temptation to make something decent of it ala Stokowski, Martinon and Rodzinski among others, Paray gives us his ports of call in technicolor and panavision, just like a 1950s travel poster: glossy, gorgeously played and recorded, never rushed but never static. It is what it is and no more, but it's wondeful listening.

The other classics are those of the composers themselves and the conductor. Nowhere do they or he acquit themselves better than here. Again, the late 50s-early 60s (some 35mm) sound is extraordinary and lavished on the right material and maestro. In La Valse and Pavane especially we get that nasty, bitter undertow of the Gallic sensibility.

Tracks:

Bolero
Pavane pour une Infante dnte
Rapsodie espagnole: I. Prelude a la nuit
Rapsodie espagnole: II. Malague
Rapsodie espagnole: III. Habanera
Rapsodie espagnole: IV. Feria
Alborada del gracioso
La Valse. Po choraphique

Average customer rating:

Maurice Ravel - Rapsodie Espagnole
Maurice Ravel , Enrique Granados , Manuel Infante , Guher Pekinel , and Suher Pekinel
Manufacturer: Teldec
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Waltzes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales; Rapsodie espagnole; Menuet antique; La valse

Average customer rating:

Second Best Ravel.

Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales; Rapsodie espagnole; Menuet antique; La valse
Maurice Ravel , Kent Nagano , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Minuets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Tracks:

Rapsodie Espagnole: I. Prelude a la nuit. Tres modere
Rapsodie Espagnole: II. Malaguena. Assez vif
Rapsodie Espagnole: III. Habanera. Assez lent et d'un rythme las
Rapsodie IV. Feria. Assez anime
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: I. Modere
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: II. Assez lent
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: III. Modere
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: IV. Assez anime
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: V. Presque lent
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: VI. Assez vif
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: VII. Moins vif
Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales: Epilogue. Lent
Menuet Antique
La Valse: Mouvement de Valse viennoise 18
La Valse: 18/26
La Valse: 26/41
La Valse: 41/46
La Valse: 46/50
La Valse: 50/76
La Valse: 76/fin

Customer Reviews:

Second Best Ravel........2006-07-10

'Valses nobles et sentimentales, Rapsodie espagnole, Menuet antique, and La valse' by Maurice Ravel, Performed by the London Dymphony Orchestra, directed by Ravel specialist, Kent Nagano, is a collection of 'pretty' music, which constantly reminds me of contemporary music written for film. I can even hear faint precursors of phrases in Bernstein's 'West Side Story' and 'An American in Paris' and various Audrey Hepburn vehicles.

As a work, none of these seem to me to be quite as good as his ballet for the Ballet Russe, 'Daphnis et Chloe', which Nagano also does, and does well.

If you like Ravel, this is a very respectable recording with good notes and a good interpretation. If you are looking for some new and interesting listening, this may not seem all that new or all that interesting.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole; La Valse [Germany]

Average customer rating:

Good performances in dodgy early digital sound
sympathetic
Excellent Pictures.

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Ravel: Rapsodie espagnole; La Valse [Germany]
Abbado , and London Symphony Orchestra
Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Classical | Styles | Music

Deutsche Grammophon: Music | Specialty Stores | Music
ASIN: B000025QCT
Release Date: 1995-04-10

Tracks:

Pictures At An Exhibition - Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition - Gnomus
Pictures At An Exhibition - Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition - The Old Castle
Pictures At An Exhibition - Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition - The Tuileries Gardens
Pictures At An Exhibition - Bydlo
Pictures At An Exhibition - Promenade
Pictures At An Exhibition - Ballet Of The Chickens In Their Shells
Pictures At An Exhibition - Samuel Goldenberg And Schmuyle
Pictures At An Exhibition - The Market-Place At Limoges
Pictures At An Exhibition - The Catacombs (Sepulchrum Romanum) - Cum Mortius In
Pictures At An Exhibition - The Hut On Fowl's Legs (Baba-Yaga)
Pictures At An Exhibition - The Great Gate Of Kiev
Rapsodie Espagnole - Prude La Nuit
Rapsodie Espagnole - Malague
Rapsodie Espagnole - Habanera
Rapsodie Espagnole - Feria
Une Barque Sur L'ocn - Tr Souple De Rythme
La Valse - Mouvement De Valse Viennoise

Customer Reviews:

Good performances in dodgy early digital sound.......2006-06-11

Abbado has a knack for conducting Mussorgsky, as witness a superb collection on RCA that features the origianl version of Night on Bald Mountain. Here he leads the LSO in a reading of Pictures that promises more than it delivers. There are nice touches throughout, but a truly brilliant Pictures needs much more excitement and inner life--here the whole thing is a bit embalmed, from the dull Tuileries to the lackluster Great Gate of Kiev. The glare of early digital sonics doesn't help, either. Listening to the edgy violins and snarly brass, I can't quite fathom the praise given by two reviewers below.

The other Ravel works are done in equally ordinary style. Bolero needs to sound sexy, with the individual soloists leaving you feeling drunk with their sensualness--that doesn't happen here. No sex, please, we're British. La Valse and Rhapsodie espagnole sound too tidy and polite, and Abbado doesn't exploit their glittering orchestration--see Boulez, Giulini, Karajan, and Bernstein for how it should be done.

sympathetic .......2005-12-24

The sound quality is good. The piece by Moessorgsky orchestrated by Ravel is very well played. Pace, tension and timbre are allright. I do not know ofcourse but the last part/finale of the exhibition is played much too loud and too severe. Sympathetic orchestration and performance of the exhibition; among the best around. This piece is very popular and will stay that way. The music by Ravel here is for the rest just for the show. I usualy skip this part. In all good cd! Four stars because of a barque etc.

Excellent Pictures........2004-05-26

Very little to add to the superb nature of the sound quality of this recording. The orchestra and brass section are the treat here, and Abbaddo has a great feel for sound and tone. i reccommend this highly to anyone who is interested in a wonderfully sympathetic view of this music.

We don't get bogged down in too may indiosynconcies as with Karajan and Reiner.

Music Review: