Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie Espagnole; La Valse

1. Boléro, ballet for orchestra (or piano)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Georgian Festival Orchestra Conducted by Jahni Mardjani

2. Pavane pour une infante défunte, for piano (or orchestra)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Georgian Festival Orchestra with Alexander Tachmanov
Conducted by Jahni Mardjani

3. Rhapsodie espagnole for orchestra (or 2 pianos)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Georgian Festival Orchestra Conducted by Vato Kahi

4. Miroirs, for piano (or orchestra) Alborada del gracioso
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Georgian Festival Orchestra with Murtaz Matskepladze
Conducted by Vato Kahi

5. La valse, poème choréographique for orchestra (or piano)
Composed by Maurice Ravel
Performed by Georgian Festival Orchestra Conducted by Jahni Mardjani

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie Espagnole; La Valse,Murtaz Matskepladze,Maurice Ravel,Jahni Mardjani,Vato Kahi,Alexander Tachmanov,Georgian Festival Orchestra,Sony,20th/21st Century Orchestral Music,Classical,Classical Composers,Classical Music,Keyboard,Keyboard Work with Descriptive or Unclassified Title,Orchestral,Orchestral & Symphonic,Pavane for Keyboard

Average customer rating: A must-listen for audiophiles Grandes, buenas y no muy buenas interpretaciones Outstanding Performances In a class of its own

Ravel: Bolero; La Valse; Rapsodie Espagnole [Hybrid SACD] Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Rimsky-Korsakov: Scheherazade; Stravinsky: Song of the Nightingale [Hybrid SACD] Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition, A Night on Bald Mountain, and Other Russian Showpieces [Hybrid SACD] Dvorák's New World Symphony and Other Orchestral Masterworks [Hybrid SACD] Offenbach: Gaïte parisienne; Rossini-Respighi: La boutique fantasque [Hybrid SACD] Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe [Hybrid SACD] ASIN: B0006PV5US Release Date: 2005-01-25

Tracks:

1. Bolero
2. La Valse
3. Prelude A La Nuit
4. Malaguena
5. Habanera
6. Feria
7. Gigues
8. Par Les Rues Et Par Les Chemins
9. Les Parfums De La Nuit
10. Le Matin D'un Jour De Fete
11. Rondes De Printemps

Customer Reviews:

A must-listen for audiophiles.......2006-07-15

RCA is leading the way in releasing hybrid SACDs at mid-price, after a decade when we were asked to pay a hefty premium for the new technology. They have selected choice itmes from the Living Stereo catalog, and as a result RCA's reisues are at the forefront of the industry. Munch's famous collection of Ravel and Debussy from the Fifties has always been an audiophile favorite, but its SACD incarnation, even if you listen through two-channel stereo instead of surround sound, is impeccable for spaciousness and detail

Munch's interpretations are self-recommending. Boulez and Karajan surpass these readings in finesse and precision, but Munch brought excitment to French music without undue sophistication and fussiness. The wind solos in Bolero, for example, aren't self-conscoiusly nuanced; they are played for direct, sometimes brash impact and the thrill of Ravel's orchestral magic. The same holds true for everything else here.

Grandes, buenas y no muy buenas interpretaciones.......2006-07-13

El contenido artístico de este Hybrid SACD contempla obras impresionistas de los titulares franceses.

Por un lado, Ravel, con su Bolero y bajo la dirección de Munch, a mi gusto no llena la expectativa comparado con otras opciones disponibles de esta obra. Lo que Munch no alcanza, es ese nivel de tensión creciente conforme también crece la riqueza orquestal de la obra, la cual debería interpretarse como un crescendo constante hasta alcanzar el climax; en el caso de Munch, arranca bien, pero se mantiene relativamente constante en el medio de la obra y el climax aparece casi exclusivamente en la última recapituación del tema principal.

La Rapsodie Espagnole, otra obra subproducida en interpretación; por largo están otras que, sin necesariamente ser las mejores, superan a esta rendición, como por ejemplo Giulini con la Orquesta Sinfónica de Chicago, también con la Filarmónica de Los Angeles o Karajan en su última rendición de esta misma obra...

Por el lado de La Valse, la realidad cambia drásticamente y encontramos una calidad artística de muy alto nivel en lo referente a esta obra; obviamente, ayuda en mucho la tecnología DSD y el sonido obtenido a través del SACD. Bien podría erigirse como la referencia en lo que respecta a la misma.

Finalmente, Debussy con sus Imágenes para Orquesta, cuyo sonido es intoxicantemente delicioso, no así la consistencia de la interpretación, la cual presenta momentos sublimes de inspiración y otros muy lejanos a este estándar.

No me cabe la menor duda de que el Sr. Munch fue un gran ícono en su época; no obstante, su época se encuentra en el pasado y podríamos obtener mayor calidad interpretativa en grabaciones más recientes, a excepción segura, de lo referido en La Valse.

Por último, el sonido obtenido a través del DSD y SACD compra el tiquete para disfrutar este CD con el mejor sonido que se pueda obtener de estas interpretaciones históricas, lo cual en muchos casos los tienen muy bien merecido, como en la gran mayoría de lanzamientos realizados por RCA de las interpretaciones de Fritz Reiner.

Outstanding Performances.......2005-10-19

Munch and the Boston Symphony combine the ultimate in orchestra playing with a power and muscularity sometimes missing in these works. This RCA issue is also one of the best transfers of LP to CD, with solid bass and even some bloom from the horn player's instruments.
It's amazing to realize one would have had to spend more for this recorded music when it first came out than we pay today.
If you enjoy this issue the entire series of reissues of orchestra music by RCA is very good. Especially not to be missed is Reiner's performances of Bartok.

In a class of its own.......2005-10-18

It's clear that RCA must be the champion of re-release and re-packaging, but then again this famous Ravel/Debussy disc from the mid-fities in the Living Stereo series remains in a class of its own. The winning combination of Charles Munch and the Boston Symphony musicians set standards of orchestral virtuosity, sense of atmosphere (one can really smell the fragrances of the night in Debussy's "Images") and full-blooded excitement that have hardly ever been equalled, let alone surpassed. And very few have proven more authoritative and eloquent than Charles Munch in the French repertory.

Available now in convincingly enhanced SACD sound quality (which is indeed an improvement of its previous CD-guises in clarity, warmth and pure sonic impact), this is one of the greatest discs of Ravel and Debussy of all time.

Average customer rating: Haunting Ravel from Paris Karajan Conducts Ravel: Hot French/Spanish Music

Ravel: Boléro; La Valse; Rapsodie espagnole; Alborada del gracioso; Le Tombeau de Couperin Manufacturer: EMI Classics ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra | ( B ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Similar Items: Dvorák: Symphonies Nos. 8 & 9 "New World" Robert Schumann: Symphonies Nos. 1-4 Sheherazade / Russian Easter Overture Vaughan Williams: The Nine Symphonies Dvorák: The Symphonies ASIN: B000A2H7QS Release Date: 2005-08-02

Tracks:

1. Alborada Del Gracioso ('Miroirs' No.4) Rapsodie Espagnole
2. I. Prelude A La Nuit
3. II. Malaguena
4. III. Habanera
5. IV. Feria
6. I. Prelude
7. II. Forlane
8. III. Menuet
9. IV. Rigaudon
10. La Valse - Poeme Choregraphique
11. Bolero - Berliner Philharmoniker

Customer Reviews:

Haunting Ravel from Paris.......2006-02-13

There are magical sounds on this CD that no one else, not even Boulez, has ever extracted from Ravel's socres. The Rapsodie espagnole in particular, taken almost at a stasis and often in a whisper, is transformd. No longer a glossy also-ran to Debussy's Iberia, the work is spellbinding, entirely due to Karajan's ability to get the Orchestre de Paris (which he briefly led, along with Berlin and Vienna--an achievement never duplicated) to play with transcendent refinement.

The La Vale is equally hypnotic--Karajan finds more than a touch of the ghostly painter Redon in these melancholy, eerie works. EMI's sound is a bit distant but very detailed and natural. As a non-lover of Ravel, I must concede that this is great music when played at such a level.

Karajan Conducts Ravel: Hot French/Spanish Music.......2005-10-02

This remastered recording features Karajan in his prime conducting Ravel music with both the Orchestra De Paris and Berlin Philharmonic. The sound is terrific and the rich melodic and seductive music of Ravel's take on Spanish music has never sounded hotter. The Bolero was made famous through its use in the film "10" with Dudley Moore, Bo Derek and Julie Andrews. It was music that Bo Derek's character intended to hear while making love. Maurice Ravel, a French composer of the turn of the century and early twentieth century, was highly influenced by the music of France's southern neighboor Spain. The music is very Spanish in nature and very sexually-charged. To the best of my knowledge, Zubin Mehta's rendition of the Bolero is the best, though Bernstein and Karajan really deliver it with sizzling hot intensity. La Valse, composed when Ravel's mother died, is sumptuous, slow and develops into a wild frenzy, all done with great orchestral virtuosity. The energy of the Rapsodie Espagnole has never soundes so vibrant and the Alobrada del Gracioso is charming. The melancholy and Baroque-style Tomb of Couperin is also a winner. EMI continues to be the foremost record label of classical music, along with Deutsche Grammophone. They have even surpassed RCA which seems to have faded away and continues to market only pieces that have been on the market for years. Any true fan of classical music, of Maurice Ravel and Herbert Von Karajan, will want to buy this recording. It is excellent.

Average customer rating:

Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suites; Rapsodie espagnole; etc. Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Symphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music | Baroque | Classical | General | Modern & 20th Century | Romantic | Sinfonia | Sinfonia Concertante Maazel, Lorin | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0002DD67E Release Date: 2004-07-13

Tracks:

1. Daphnis Et Chloe Suite No. 1
2. Daphnis Et Chloe Suite No. 2
3. I. Prelude A La Nuit
4. II. Malaguena
5. III. Habanera
6. IV. Feria
7. La Valse
8. Bolero

Average customer rating: Excellent collection Top-rank Bolero; a must-have disc

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Debussy: Images Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music All Works by Debussy | Debussy, Claude | ( D ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35-41 Carl Orff: Carmina Burana Rossini: Overtures Wagner without Words Saint-Saëns: Symphony No.3/Debussy: La Mer/Ibert: Escales ASIN: B000003FMW Release Date: 1994-03-15

Tracks:

1. Bolero
2. La Valse
3. Rapsodie espagnole: Prelude a la nuit
4. Rapsodie espagnole: Malaguena
5. Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera
6. Rapsodie espagnole: Feria
7. Images For Orchestra: Gigues
8. Images For Orchestra: Iberia: Par les rues et par les chemins
9. Images For Orchestra: Iberia: Les parfums de la nuit
10. Images For Orchestra: Iberia: Le matin d'un jour de fete
11. Images For Orchestra: Rondes du printemps

Amazon.com

Charles Munch was the opposite of the "intellectual" school of French conductors, as typified today by Pierre Boulez. He was a completely spontaneous artist, which is what made him the great Berlioz conductor of our time, and literally anything could happen when he got up onto the podium. It follows then, that his Ravel is not going to be the sort of hyper-precise, calculated sort of interpretation that many fans of the composer expect, but it will be exciting as hell. These three pieces are shrewdly chosen; they are the composer's most extrovert works, and Munch pulls out all of the stops in his performances of them. A classic recording, and a great memento of a unique artist. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Excellent collection.......2002-05-03

During Munch's tenure as conductor in chief of the Boston Symphony (1949-62), it was often referred to as the world's finest french orchestra. Why? Because the woodwinds and brass had a somewhat nasal and pointed sound, characteristic of French ensembles, but with significantly greater orchestral silkiness of tone, precision, and virtuosity, on a par with the world's finest orchestras. It is these characteristics, together with the volatile, intense nature of Munch's style, which makes these performances a very effective combination of sensuality, fire and elegance. The same is true of Munch's La Mer and Escales (Ports of Call), coupled with the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony on another Living Stereo album.
A very worthwhile purchase!

Top-rank Bolero; a must-have disc.......2000-09-04

Charles Munch imbued his interpretations of the French classics with a unique vitality and enthusiasm. In particular, he injected more insistent percussion and bolder brass into these works than any other conductor I've yet found (his Symphonie Fantastique, also in the RCA Living Stereo series, is a classic example of his art). And it all works so well. No pulled punches on the podium, and certainly no yawns in the seats. Even if you have other versions of these works that you love well, give this a shot. The Bolero alone is worth the price of the disc.

Average customer rating: Powerful and Sensuous Wow--What a La Valse A truly terrifying La Valse

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie espagnole; Pavane pour une infante défunte Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mozart: Symphonies Nos. 35-41 Rossini: Overtures Chopin: Twenty Four Préludes Op.28 Wagner without Words Handel - Messiah / Harper, Watts, Wakefield, Shirley-Quirk, LSO, C. Davis ASIN: B000003EPQ Release Date: 1991-07-05

Tracks:

1. Bolero
2. Rapsodie espagnole: Prelude a la nuit
3. Rapsodie espagnole: Malaguena
4. Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera
5. Rapsodie espagnole: Feria
6. Pavan For A Dead Princess
7. La Valse
8. 'Mother Goose' Suite: Pavan Of The Sleeping Beauty
9. 'Mother Goose' Suite: Hop-O'-My-Thumb
10. 'Mother Goose' Suite: Laideronette, Empress Of The Pagodas
11. 'Mother Goose' Suite: Beauty And The Beast Converse
12. 'Mother Goose' Suite: The Fairy Garden

Customer Reviews:

Powerful and Sensuous.......2004-05-22

I thought it would be interesting to compare performances of some of the major works of Ravel by listening to recordings of three long acknowledged masters of mainstream French repertoire---Pierre Monteux, Charles Munch and Jean Martinon. On their discs, all three offer nearly identically recorded selections, though Martinon's is a two disc set which includes some additional fine works by the composer. One other difference is that Munch plays the original Suite From Mother Goose, whereas Monteux and Martinon provide us with Ravel's later, sequence altered and more complete ballet version. Obviously, there are variations in the interpretations as well as sound quality given to each. Also, each conducts a different orchestra. Monteux has the London Symphony, Munch the Boston Symphony and Martinon the Orchestra de Paris. To keep the playing field level, my comments will concern only those recorded pieces that are common here to the three cds.

Bolero, of course, is not only Ravel's most popular composition, but also one of the favorites of the entire classical repertoire. Many have enjoyed its exotic strains, though some attest it has been overexposed and have "gotten tired of it". Nevertheless, each presents a fine performance, but I believe Martinon's is the most impressive in both sonics and interpretation. Those characterful French woodwinds certainly do sing. Moreover, the sound is cleaner than that given to the others, and the perspective on the orchestra is close to ideal. Monteux's version, however, is solid. It is straightforward and musical. Munch's strength comes in the last portions of the piece....The Rhapsodie Espagnole is one of my favorites. Here, once again, Martinon scores with a reading that captures best the sense of color, sensuous atmosphere and flair the work is full of. Munch's Symphony Hall sound in Boston gives the music's body warmth and richness, and he too offers a fine reading. Monteux seems only slightly less interesting than the others....La Valse is also one of my favorites. Here, all three present enjoyable accounts. Monteux brings a nice rhythmic lilt and a hint of playful, romantic charm. Munch emphasizes drive and elan, though he borders on being boisterous at times. Martinon sings with lyricism and luxurious sensuality....Pavane For a Dead Princess is another wonderful work. Munch takes top honors here by imparting an air of nobility and an almost timeless quality. There is also some very beautiful harp playing....Finally, in Ma Mere l'Oye (Mother Goose) again, all three give very fine performances. Munch has superb dynamics and is colorful and tuneful. Monteux is poignant and loving. Martinon lays things out very clearly and nicely. There is an easy yet animated flow to his presentation, and it displays plenty of the atmosphere of child-like spirit and fantasy. Yes, overall, I tend to favor Martinon, but there's a lot to appreciate in Munch and Monteux. I really don't think you will go wrong with any of these choices. There's a whole lot of marvelous music to enjoy here.

Wow--What a La Valse.......2002-02-05

If you were to ask me the one reason the buy this CD, it would be for Munch's La Valse. It is absolutely spectacular. I remember the first time I heard this piece when I was younger, but never had it this much power.

The compilation itself is a must. Munch was considered to have been the foremost Ravel interpreter of his time (today, it's Charles Dutoit). The Bolero is quite brilliant, and Munch touches-up the score at the end enough for the effect he wanted, but discretely enough as not to distort Ravel's score. It's one of the most exciting Boleros I've heard.

The Pavane is not a piece I'm particularly fond of by itself, but I believe Munch conducts it superbly and the horn solo is quite full of longing.

The Rapsodie Espagnole is another winner in this compilation. The finale of the last movement is exquisite, Munch bringing out a very Stravinsky-esque quality from it (Stravinsky and Ravel both studied with Rimsky-Korsakov, the first master orchestrator).

The Mother Goose Suite is a piece I first encountered in my high school orchestra. I really didn't appreciate the work until this performance with Munch and the BSO. One can really see pictures in the mind's eye through his interpretation. The third movement is my personal favorite. He gives it just the right taste. Another recording to check out is the one Michael Tilson-Thomas made with the Philharmonia (I believe).

The La Valse is amazing and breathtaking througout. The opening has just the right ammount of tension to foreshadow the climactic ending, but just enough to give way to the playful melody that follows. One can really hear Strauss' sound in the waltz, with a Ravel twist. The finale is fantastic and may terrify the weak of heart. The BSO is right on the heel of Munch and he's got them by the reins, giving just the right ammount of tension. Munch's control and restraint that gave this piece that tension would have made Toscanini proud!

A must recording, it's not just one to get, but THE one to get.

A truly terrifying La Valse.......2000-07-17

This was one of my first classical discs which I bought in 1963. It trumpeted the RCA Dynagroove process, had Bolero on the first side and Pavane and La Valse on the other side. This CD now includes Rapsodie Espagnole and Mother Goose, both recorded in the late 1950s. All of the pieces would be fine first choices for a basic library. The Bolero is powerful with Munch adding extra drums for the finale, though Munch speeds up the tempo during the piece. The Pavane is a rather quick runthrough, but James Stagliano's horn solo is quite beautiful. The CD's biggest selling point is the La Valse. As Munch conducts it, this has to be one of the most terrifying pieces ever composed, up there with Bartok's Miraculous Mandarin and Stravinsky's Le Sacre de Printemps. The BSO is right there with him all the way. Both the Rapsodie and the Mother Goose are quite beautiful. As usual, Richard Mohr and Lewis Layton did a marvelous job of recording these pieces.

Average customer rating:

Ravel: Boléro; Rapsodie Espagnole; La Valse Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Pavanes | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music CDs Under $7 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Similar Items: Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition; Night on Bald Mountain ASIN: B000002990 Release Date: 1994-05-31

Tracks:

1. Bolero
2. Pavane pour une Infante dnte
3. Rapsodie espagnole: I. Prelude a la nuit
4. Rapsodie espagnole: II. Malague
5. Rapsodie espagnole: III. Habanera
6. Rapsodie espagnole: IV. Feria
7. Alborada del gracioso
8. La Valse. Po choraphique

Average customer rating: Reasonable Ravel

Ravel's Bolero Maurice Ravel , Sir John Barbirolli , Hallé Orchestra , and Daphnis & Chloe Suite # 2; Rapsodie Espagnole; La Valse Manufacturer: Bescol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music Classical | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00008NG8Q Release Date: 2003-04-09

Customer Reviews:

Reasonable Ravel.......2006-07-07

My first purchase on the Bescol label came a few years back when I picked up Josef Krips' excellent Beethoven Symphony Cycle. Since then I have discovered that the majority of this company's releases mirror the titles in the now out-of-print Everest line, but occasionally there is one that is not just a budget-line copy-cat of an Everest CD. Case in point, this Ravel disc featuring Sir John Barbirolli conducting his beloved Halle Orchestra. Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know of my love for Glorious John, particularly his albums in EMI's "British Composers" series and his titles on the Dutton label. Unfortunately, this is not JB's finest hour. First this CD sounds horrible -- tinny throughout, and noticeably compressed and distorted at any and all climatic moments. Performance wise, some of the selections are duds as well. Bolero is taken at such a lifeless pace it's almost a caricature for the English lack of passion, and La Valse isn't much better. It's not that Sir John simply cannot conduct French fare -- I have a Debussy disc of his that I rather enjoy -- and the Daphnis et Chloe Suite and Rapsodie Espagnole readings are superior. Unfortunately all the brilliant stereo hi-fi moments are captured here in the quagmire of lo-fi. I'll round up to 4 stars because this is a conductor worth collecting and the price is hard to beat, but under no circumstances should you make this your first choice Ravel CD.

Average customer rating: Reasonable Ravel

Ravel: Bolero; Daphnis et Chloe; La Valse; Rapsodie Espagnole Manufacturer: Bescol ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music General Modern | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music ASIN: B00008ESS1 Release Date: 1994-07-20

Customer Reviews:

Reasonable Ravel.......2006-07-07

My first purchase on the Bescol label came a few years back when I picked up Josef Krips' excellent Beethoven Symphony Cycle. Since then I have discovered that the majority of this company's releases mirror the titles in the now out-of-print Everest line, but occasionally there is one that is not just a budget-line copy-cat of an Everest CD. Case in point, this Ravel disc featuring Sir John Barbirolli conducting his beloved Halle Orchestra. Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know of my love for Glorious John, particularly his albums in EMI's "British Composers" series and his titles on the Dutton label. Unfortunately, this is not JB's finest hour. First this CD sounds horrible -- tinny throughout, and noticeably compressed and distorted at any and all climatic moments. Performance wise, some of the selections are duds as well. Bolero is taken at such a lifeless pace it's almost a caricature for the English lack of passion, and La Valse isn't much better. It's not that Sir John simply cannot conduct French fare -- I have a Debussy disc of his that I rather enjoy -- and the Daphnis et Chloe Suite and Rapsodie Espagnole readings are superior. Unfortunately all the brilliant stereo hi-fi moments are captured here in the quagmire of lo-fi. I'll round up to 4 stars because this is a conductor worth collecting and the price is hard to beat, but under no circumstances should you make this your first choice Ravel CD.

Average customer rating: Incredible

Ravel: Bolero/Valse/Rapsodie Espagnole/Alborada del Gracioso Manufacturer: Sony ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Keyboard | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music Maazel, Lorin | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music All Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music Classical Instrumental Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B0000027A1 Release Date: 1990-12-27

Tracks:

1. Bolero
2. La Valse
3. Rapsodie espagnole: I - Prelude A La Nuit
4. Rapsodie espagnole: II - Malaguena
5. Rapsodie espagnole: III - Habanera
6. Rapsodie espagnole: IV - Feria
7. Alborado Del Gracioso

Customer Reviews:

Incredible.......2004-05-31

If you really want to hear how beautiful a French orchestra can sound and execute Ravel this is a superb example. The recording is sumptous with good bass throughout. I must admit Ravel played this way is preferable.

Average customer rating: Superb La Valse, VERY BAD Bolero Thrilling to the experienced

Lorin Maazel conducts Ravel ~ Boléro, Daphnis et Chloé Suites 1 & 2, La valse, Rapsodie espagnole Maurice Ravel , Wiener Philharmoniker , and Lorin Maazel Manufacturer: RCA ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Ravel, Maurice | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Suites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music Maazel, Lorin | ( M ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra | ( V ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music General | Classical | Styles | Music General Contemporary | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music Classical Music | The Sony BMG Masterworks Store | Amazon.com Label Stores | Stores | Music ASIN: B000003G5L Release Date: 1997-05-20

Tracks:

1. Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 1
2. Daphnis et Chloe Suite No. 2
3. Rapsodie espagnole: I. Prelude a la nuit
4. Rapsodie espagnole: II. Malaguena
5. Rapsodie espagnole: III. Habanera
6. Rapsodie espagnole: IV. Feria
7. La Valse
8. Bolero

Amazon.com essential recording

Lorin Maazel is probably the weirdest conductor currently active. Orchestras supposedly love him on account of his superb baton technique, and it's obvious in his recordings that his control over an orchestra is absolute. It's what he does with that control that's often so strange, turning in interpretations that range from thrilling to simply willful and bizarre. His Ravel is typically micro-managed--you can hear every twist and turn of the baton, but it also works well, in this music at least. The Vienna Philharmonic follows him every step of the way, and the performances of both Boléro and La Valse, in particular, are astounding. Different, then, but in the best sense. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Superb La Valse, VERY BAD Bolero.......2005-10-14

I bought this CD after hearing the performance of La Valse on radio, which blew me away. The previous reviewer's words -Ravel Overload- is an accurate description of this performance. This is as dreamy, violent, and sensual as La Valse can ever get.
Bolero, however, is a big disappointment. None of the woodwind or sax players seems to be quite prepared to play the solo. It's as if they came into the session without having made up their mind on how to play it. I honestly don't care how this deceptively simple melody is played - it can be anything from Indian to Mozartian. But I would expect it to be played with care, taste and sensuality. From ensemble standpoint, it's a poor execution. Maazel misses the bus when he is supposed to increase the volume slightly, and tries to catch up by pumping it up at once - the sense of Crescendo Continuo is gone by then. The rhythm gets unstable before the climax. Interpretative freedom? I think it's just loss of control. The final bang is loud but hey, it's too late to make up for all the disasters that have gone by.
Other pieces are well-played but I can't believe Mr. Maazel and the producer allowed this poor recording of Bolero to be on a commercial release. To me, it's a great example of low standard. To be fair, Bolero is an extremely difficult piece to play well especially the solo parts. I feel most of the classical players don't quite get it. I wonder what if jazz horn players play the solos instead... with slight improvisation! I think Ravel would delight at it.

Thrilling to the experienced.......2000-08-29

When I bought this disk, I was looking for a "definitive account" of Ravel's powerhouse orchestral pieces. It's not definitive, and to someone unacquainted with these pieces, maybe not even that interesting.

But if you know Bolero, Rhapsodie Espagnole and La Valse, you're in for a real treat, because Maazel and the Vienna Philharmonic flagrantly overplay everything on this disk. Phrases in La Valse and Rhapsodie are stretched nearly to their breaking points. The orchestrations in Bolero are Technicolor vivid.

What makes this disk especially wonderful is the sensation that each of the performances is the work of a single mind. The Vienna Philharmonic plays as though they were a unified extension of Maazel, and he's a sharp one. The recorded sound is unbelievably lush.

If you want definitive, look to Munch's recordings with the Boston Symphony or Dutoit's with Montreal. When you're ready for Ravel overload, come here.

Track Listings:

1. Rimsky-Korsakov: Russian Easter Overture; Stravinsky: Scherzo, Op. 3; Fireworks, Op. 4; Petrouchka
2. Robert Noehren Premieres
3. Russian Orchestral Classics
4. Saint-Saëns: Piano Trio No. 2; Ravel: Piano Trio in A
5. Scelsi: The Complete Works For Clarinet
6. Schbert: Symphony Nos. 5 & 8/German Dances, D.820
7. Schubert: String Trio in Bf D581; String Trio in Bf D471
8. Schumann: overture, Op.52/Konzertstück,Op.86/Symphony No.1In F flat
9. Seixas/Soler/Scarlatti/Mozart/Schumann/Brahms
10. Shchedrin: Polyphonic Notebook For Piano/24 Preludes And Fugues For Piano

Track Listings

track listings

Track Listings

Roadmap of Pain [Import]

Tchaikovsky: Romeo & Juliet; The Nutcracker Suite

The Long Road

One Night in Barcelona [Import]

Toad [Box set]

The Clutch

Tweety's High-Flying Adventure [Soundtrack]

The Poetic Piano - Spirituality and Music

That Christmas Feeling [Import]

The Beginning

The Golden Dove

Third Prophecy [Import]

Street Vibes, Vol. 5 [Import]

Haydn: Piano Sonatas Nos. 1-10

Hold Your Fire