Composer: Maurice Ravel
Performer: Jean-Efflam Bavouzet
Number of Discs: 2
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Chandos
Catalogue: CHAN20287(2)
Release: 2025
Size: 1.81 GB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
CD 01
01. Sérénade grotesque, M. 5
02. Jeux d’eau, M. 30
03. Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19
04. Menuet antique, M. 7
Sonatine, M. 40
05. I. Modéré
06. II. Mouvement de menuet
07. III. Animé
08. Menuet, M. 42
09. Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn, M. 58
Miroirs, M. 43
10. No. 1, Noctuelles. Très léger
11. No. 2, Oiseaux tristes. Très lent
12. No. 3, Une barque sur l’océan. D’un rythme souple
13. No. 4, Alborada del gracioso. Assez vif
14. No. 5, La vallée des cloches. Très lent
CD 02
Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55
01. No. 1, Ondine. Lent
02. No. 2, Le gibet. Très lent
03. No. 3, Scarbo. Modéré
04. A la manière de Borodine, M. 63 No. 1
05. A la manière de Chabrier, M. 63 No. 2
Le tombeau de Couperin, M. 68
06. I. Prélude
07. II. Fugue
08. III. Forlane
09. IV. Rigaudon
10. V. Menuet
11. VI. Toccata
12. Prélude, M. 65
Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61
13. No. 1, Modéré, très franc
14. No. 2, Assez lent, avec une expression intense
15. No. 3, Modéré
16. No. 4, Assez animé
17. No. 5, Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime
18. No. 6, Vif
19. No. 7, Moins vif
20. No. 8, Épilogue. Lent
21. La valse, M. 72 (Version for Piano)
Born in 1875, Ravel was fêted during the 1920s and ’30s as France’s greatest living composer – a remarkable achievement considering the obstacles placed in his path by the ultra-conservative Parisian musical elite of his time. (Ravel was expelled from the Paris Conservatoire twice!). His unique musical style, combining classical form and impressionistic harmony, makes his work immediately recognisable.
Compared to others, Ravel, immensely self-critical, was a slow and conscientious composer, but almost all his relatively small output remains in the repertoire and is performed and recorded regularly.
The piano was Ravel’s first instrument, and although he was no virtuoso himself, he successfully composed some of the most virtuosic pieces in the repertoire, reflecting his extraordinary understanding of the instrument and exactly what sounds and effects he wanted to achieve. He orchestrated a significant number of his piano works, which presents another challenge to the performer: once she or he has heard Ravel’s orchestration of a work, this must of course influence one’s perception of the original. (This is equally true for the listener, of course.)
Jean-Efflam Bavouzet notes: ‘I subscribe completely to Ravel’s idea that a composer does not have to be profound in order to write good music. And furthermore, owing no doubt to his modest character, Ravel rarely addresses us in the first person. He does not confide in us intimately except on the rarest occasions. At these exceptional moments, our admiration for this musical giant, for his intelligence and elegant style of writing, for his perfect proportions, give way to a wave of emotion that is difficult to contain.’
Released to coincide with the Ravel anniversary, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s recording of the complete works for solo piano demonstrates the virtuoso’s innate understanding and feeling for these masterpieces. Priced as two CDs for the price of one.
