Composer: Maurice Ravel
Performer: Romain Descharmes
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Audite
Catalogue: AUDITE92571
Release: 2009
Size: 147 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: cover
Valses nobles et sentimentales
01. I. Modere, tres franc
02. II. Assez lent, avec une expression intense
03. III. Modere
04. IV. Assez anime
05. V. Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime
06. VI. Vif
07. VII. Moins vif
08. VIII. Epilogue: Lent
Gaspard de la Nuit
09. I. Ondine
10. II. Le gibet
11. III. Scarbo
Sonatine
12. I. Modere
13. II. Mouvement de Menuet
14. III. Anime
15. La valse (version for piano solo)
Ravel’s artificial, indirect soundscape challenges the interpreter to extreme levels, demanding virtuosity, a sense of sound and sensitivity.The works recorded for this CD by the young French pianist Romain Descharmes present the quintessence of Ravel’s oeuvre for piano: from the classicist Sonatine via the fantastic world of Gaspard de la Nuit – a milestone in virtuosity – and the ingenious waltz-paraphrases of the Valses Nobles et Sentimentales. Descharmes’ realisation of the piece and his performance, confidently combining risk and control, impressively reveals what powers can be unleashed in the virtuosic solo piano version of La Valse. Romain Descharmes was awarded First Prize in the Dublin International Piano Competition in 2006, leading him to perform recitals on many prestigious international stages. Furthermore he has been awarded prizes at other international competitions and gives recitals in his home country France and abroad. In addition to his solo carreer Romain Descharmes is a sought-after chamber musician.
It is the contention of pianist Romain Descharmes that Ravel was no hazy Impressionist creating gaudy and gauzy music, but a clear-eyed Modernist creating hard-edged, sharp-cornered works, and Descharmes makes his case as persuasively as possible. With his brilliant technique, crisp attack, and complete control, Descharmes illuminates every aspect of the four works here: Valses nobles et sentimentales, Gaspard de la nuit, Sonatine, and La valse. Not only does Descharmes miss nary a note, but his performances let every note sound in ideal balance with the whole. The results are undeniably exciting; Scarbo from Gaspard is flat-out thrilling, while La valse comes close to inciting a riot in its final bars. Listeners who fondly recall the more modulated and subtle recordings of Walter Gieseking and Robert Casadesus may not appreciate Descharmes’ take on Ravel, but even they would be hard pressed not to enjoy his blistering account of La valse. Played on an extra-bright Kawai piano and recorded in extremely vivid super audio, the sound is stunningly immediate.