Immerse yourself in the enchanting world of Maurice Ravel's vocal artistry with "The Complete Songs of Ravel," a meticulously curated collection of the composer's mélodies, set to be released on April 18, 2025, by Signum Records. This comprehensive album spans over two hours and twenty-three minutes, offering a profound exploration of Ravel's unique musical language and his enduring fascination with poetry and song.
The album features a stellar array of British singers, accompanied by the renowned pianist Malcolm Martineau, who has painstakingly assembled this collection to showcase the full range of Ravel's vocal works. From the hauntingly beautiful "Ballade de la reine morte d'aimer" to the whimsical "Histoires naturelles" and the exotic "Chansons madécasses," this album presents a chronological journey through Ravel's song output, highlighting his mastery of orchestration, harmony, and melodic invention.
Ravel's songs are notable for their evocative settings of poetry by some of France's most celebrated writers, including Stéphane Mallarmé, Paul Verlaine, and Pierre de Ronsard. The composer's deep appreciation for the French language and his keen sensitivity to its nuances are evident in every phrase, making this album an essential addition to any classical music enthusiast's collection.
"The Complete Songs of Ravel" is a testament to the composer's enduring legacy and his profound impact on the world of classical music. Whether you are a longtime admirer of Ravel's work or a newcomer to his music, this album offers an unparalleled opportunity to explore the rich tapestry of his vocal artistry and to discover the many facets of his genius. With its stunning performances and impeccable production, this album is sure to become a treasured addition to your music library.
(C) 2025 Signum Records(P) 2025 Signum Records
Tracks
Ballade de la reine morte d'aimer, M. 4Maurice Ravel, Roland de Marés, Malcolm Martineau, Sarah Dufresne
Un grand sommeil noir, M. 6Maurice Ravel, Paul Verlaine, Malcolm Martineau, William Thomas
Sainte, M. 9Maurice Ravel, Stéphane Mallarmé, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
Epigrammes de Clément Marot, M. 21/10: No. 1, D'Anne qui me jecta de la neige. Très lentMaurice Ravel, Clément Marot, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
Epigrammes de Clément Marot, M. 21/10: No. 2, D'Anne jouant de l'espinette. Très léger et d'un rythme précisMaurice Ravel, Clément Marot, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
Chanson du rouet, M. 15Maurice Ravel, Charles-Marie-René Leconte de Lisle, Malcolm Martineau, Sarah Dufresne
Si morne!, M. 16Maurice Ravel, Émile Verhaeren, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
Manteau de fleurs, M. 39Maurice Ravel, Paul Gravollet, Malcolm Martineau, Sarah Dufresne
Shéhérazade, M. 41 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 1, AsieMaurice Ravel, Tristan Klingsor, Malcolm Martineau, Paula Murrihy
Shéhérazade, M. 41 (Version for Voice, Flute, and Piano): No. 2, La flute enchanteMaurice Ravel, Tristan Klingsor, Malcolm Martineau, Paula Murrihy, Lisa Friend
Shéhérazade, M. 41 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 3, L'indifferentMaurice Ravel, Tristan Klingsor, Malcolm Martineau, Paula Murrihy
5 Mélodies populaires grecques, M. A 4-5, 9-11: No. 1, Chanson de la mariée. ModéréMaurice Ravel, Traditional, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
5 Mélodies populaires grecques, M. A 4-5, 9-11: No. 2, Là-bas, vers l'église. AndanteMaurice Ravel, Traditional, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
5 Mélodies populaires grecques, M. A 4-5, 9-11: No. 3, Quel galant m'est comparableMaurice Ravel, Traditional, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
5 Mélodies populaires grecques, M. A 4-5, 9-11: No. 4, Chanson des cueilleuses de lentisques. LentoMaurice Ravel, Traditional, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
5 Mélodies populaires grecques, M. A 4-5, 9-11: No. 5, Tout gai!. AllegroMaurice Ravel, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
Noël des jouets, M. 47Maurice Ravel, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
Histoires naturelles: No. 1, Le paonMaurice Ravel, Jules Renard, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
Histoires naturelles: No. 2, Le grillonMaurice Ravel, Jules Renard, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
Histoires naturelles: No. 3, Le cygneMaurice Ravel, Jules Renard, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
Histoires naturelles: No. 4, Le martin-pecheurMaurice Ravel, Jules Renard, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
Histoires naturelles: No. 5, La pintadeMaurice Ravel, Jules Renard, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
Vocalise-étude en forme de habanera, M. 51: No. 1, Presque lent et avec indolenceMaurice Ravel, Malcolm Martineau, Julie Boulianne
Les grands vents venus d'outre-mer, M. 48: No. 1, Modéré, très agitéMaurice Ravel, Henri de Régnier, Malcolm Martineau, Dafydd Jones
Sur l'herbe, M. 53Maurice Ravel, Paul Verlaine, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
Tripatos, M. A13Maurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, Sarah Dufresne
Chants populaires, M. A17: No. 1, Chanson espagnole. AndantinoMaurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
Chants populaires, M. A17: No. 2, Chanson française. AllegrettoMaurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, William Thomas
Chants populaires, M. A17: No. 3, Mélodie italienne. Largamente, quasi piacere, portando le noteMaurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, Paula Murrihy
Chants populaires, M. A17: No. 4, Chanson hébraïque. Allegro moderatoMaurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, William Thomas
Chants populaires, M. A17: No. 5, Chanson écossaiseMaurice Ravel, Robert Burns, Malcolm Martineau, Nicky Spence
3 Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, M. 64: No. 1, Soupir. LentMaurice Ravel, Stéphane Mallarmé, Julie Boulianne, Lisa Friend, Anna Stokes, Julian Bliss, Matt Glendening
3 Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, M. 64: No. 2, Placet futile. Très modéréMaurice Ravel, Stéphane Mallarmé, Julie Boulianne, Lisa Friend, Anna Stokes, Julian Bliss, Matt Glenending, Sacconi Quartet
3 Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, M. 64 : No. 3, Surgi de la croupe et du bond. LentMaurice Ravel, Stéphane Mallarmé, Julie Boulianne, Lisa Friend, Anna Stokes, Julian Bliss, Matt Glendening, Sacconi Quartet
2 Mélodies hébraïques, M. A22: No. 1, Kaddisch. LentMaurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
2 Mélodies hébraïques, M. A22: No. 2, L'énigme éternelle. TranquilloMaurice Ravel, Anonymous, Malcolm Martineau, Simon Keenlyside
3 Chansons, M. 69 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 1, Nicolette. Allegro moderatoMaurice Ravel, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
3 Chansons, M. 69 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 2, Trois beaux oiseaux du paradis. ModeratoMaurice Ravel, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
3 Chansons, M. 69 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 3, Ronde. AllegroMaurice Ravel, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
Ronsard à son âme, M. 75Maurice Ravel, Pierre de Ronsard, Malcolm Martineau, Dafydd Jones
Chansons madécasses, M. 78: No. 1, Nahandove. Andante quasi allegrettoMaurice Ravel, Évariste Parny, Malcolm Martineau, Julie Boulianne, Lisa Friend, Cara Berridge
Chansons madécasses, M. 78: No. 2, Aoua. AndanteMaurice Ravel, Évariste Parny, Malcolm Martineau, Julie Boulianne, Lisa Friend, Cara Berridge
Chansons madécasses, M. 78: No. 3, Il est doux. LentoMaurice Ravel, Évariste Parny, Malcolm Martineau, Julie Boulianne, Lisa Friend, Cara Berridge
Rêves, M. 79Maurice Ravel, Léon-Paul Fargues, Malcolm Martineau, Lorna Anderson
Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, M. 84 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 1, Chanson romanesque. ModeratoMaurice Ravel, Paul Morand, Malcolm Martineau, John Chest
Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, M. 84 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 2, Chanson épique. Molto moderatoMaurice Ravel, Paul Morand, Malcolm Martineau, John Chest
Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, M. 84 (Version for Voice and Piano): No. 3, Chanson à boire. AllegroMaurice Ravel, Paul Morand, Malcolm Martineau, John Chest