Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Maurice Ravel with this captivating live album, released on February 7, 2025, by Warner Classics. This collection showcases Ravel's mastery of the piano, featuring a selection of his most beloved works performed with exquisite skill and sensitivity.
The album opens with the Adagio assai from Ravel's Piano Concerto in G Major, a piece that exemplifies the composer's ability to evoke profound emotion through his music. Following this, you'll find the complete suite of Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose), a charming work originally written for piano duet and later orchestrated. This suite brings to life the whimsical tales of Mother Goose, with each movement depicting a different story, from the graceful Pavane de la Belle au bois dormant to the magical Le jardin féerique.
The album also includes the complete Gaspard de la nuit, a set of three virtuosic piano pieces inspired by the poetry of Aloysius Bertrand. Each piece, from the ethereal Ondine to the demonic Scarbo, showcases Ravel's innovative use of harmony and rhythm, as well as his deep understanding of the piano's expressive capabilities.
In addition to these works, the album features Ravel's Sonatine, a concise yet profound three-movement work that demonstrates the composer's ability to create complex musical structures from seemingly simple materials. The album concludes with a performance of La Valse, a work that blends the elegance of the waltz with the dissonance and chaos of the modern world.
Throughout the album, Ravel's unique voice shines through, blending elements of French impressionism, Spanish folk music, and modernist innovation. Whether you're a longtime fan of Ravel's music or a newcomer looking to explore his work, this album offers a compelling introduction to the composer's diverse output and enduring appeal. With a total runtime of 1 hour and 7 minutes, it's a journey through the musical landscape of one of the 20th century's most influential composers.
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