Ravel: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 [Includes 'Gaspard de la nuit']

Ravel: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 [Includes 'Gaspard de la nuit'] cover $25.00 Out of Stock
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MAURICE RAVEL
Ravel: Orchestral Works Vol. 2 [Includes 'Gaspard de la nuit']
Orchestre National de Lyon, Leonard Slatkin

[ Naxos / CD ]

Release Date: Sunday 29 December 2013

This item is currently out of stock. It may take 6 or more weeks to obtain from when you place your order as this is a specialist product.

Maurice Ravel's Valses nobles et sentimentales present a vivid mixture of atmospheric impressionism, intense expression and modernist wit. His fascination with the waltz is further explored in La Valse, a mysterious evocation of a vanished imperial epoch. Heard here in an orchestration by Marius Constant, Gaspard de la nuit is Ravel's response to the other-worldly poems of Aloysius Bertrand, and the dance suite Le tombeau de Couperin is a tribute to friends who fell in the war of 1914-18 as well as a great 18th century musical forbear. 'It is a delightful and assorted collection… presented in splendid performances by the Orchestre National de Lyon led by their music director, the venerable American conductor Leonard Slatkin.' (Classical.net / Volume 1, 8572887).

Ravel's Gaspard de la nuit orchestrated by Marius Constant is rarely recorded, and despite their deserved popularity both the Valses nobles et sentimentales and Le tombeau de Couperin are far more widespread in their solo piano versions.

"This is very clever programming...Slatkin avoids making Valses nobles et sentimentales sound merely a melancholic prophecy of La valse...a splendidly characterised La valse, the lusciousness and glitter of the opening dance captured as much as the grisly build-up to its final horrifying climax." (BBC Music)

"the American shows real empathy with this magical repertoire, and he draws playing of uncommon composure and contagious application from his scruulously prepared Lyons band...Wonderful value at Naxos's price. Bring on the next instalment." (Gramophone)

Tracks:

Valses nobles et sentimentales
Gaspard de la Nuit
orch. Marius Constant
Le tombeau de Couperin - Orchestral version
La Valse