The Complete Piano Works of Maurice Ravel, Volume One [Hybrid SACD - DSD]

Artur Pizarro (Artist, Performer), Ravel (Composer), Not Available (Conductor) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Artur Pizarro
• Conductor: Not Available
• Composer: Ravel
• Audio CD (February 1, 2007)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Label: Linn records
• ASIN: B000MGAY62
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 3.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #479,899 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Within seconds after Jeux d'eau begins this Ravel recital, we're on sonic red alert. Is the Teatro São Luis' overly resonant, muddy acoustic to blame, or is it just an overdose of sustain pedal? Or perhaps the problem is pianist Artur Pizarro's sedate basic tempo and poker-faced demeanor? Similar blurring compromises clarity throughout much of the Miroirs, although here Pizarro's tempos are right on target. He stands out in Alborada del gracioso, maintaining a strict, loping gait and giving strong profile to left-hand countermelodies. In La Valse, the acoustic minimizes dynamic contrasts and textural differentiation, notwithstanding some truly pulverizing fingerwork in the final peroration. However, the diffuse sonics better absorb Gaspard da la nuit's watery subtext and mysterious, shimmering qualities. The latter are beautifully illuminated by virtue of Pizarro's absolute respect for Ravel's text and impressive tonal control. His bracing, uncomplicated, and effortlessly shaped Ondine is a kindred spirit with Gieseking's legendary 1939 shellac recording. Le Gibet is rock steady and hypnotically sustained: the widely spaced chords are voiced in perfect proportion to the repeated B-flats and single-note melodies. Scarbo's formidable pianistic challenges don't faze Pizarro one bit, even if his suave, unflappable poise sidesteps the demonic undercurrents so vividly characterized by Pogorelich and his imitators. Obviously this disc faces superior sonic and interpretive catalog competition--but what a phenomenal Gaspard!" --ClassicsToday.com

Product Description

Import Hybrid-SACD pressing.

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautiful Ravel music, August 1, 2007

By 

Amy - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Piano Works of Maurice Ravel, Volume One (Audio CD)

The five works on this CD, which is the first of two volumes Artur Pizarro is releasing of Ravel's complete piano music. From the watery magic of Jeux d Eau and the dark virtuosity of Gaspard de la Nuit, to the multi faceted Miroirs and the brilliance of La Valse, this recording highlights not only Ravel's amazing ability to depict extra musical characters and emotions through music, but also Artur Pizarro's very individual way of bringing these pieces to life in his playing. I have to say this such a rewarding disc to listen to. Pizarro's interpretation of Ravel is very personal and moving. Even in the disc's most complex passages and in Gaspard de la Nuit we encounter one of the piano repertoire's real monster works. Pizarro's playing gives the impression of being as free from resistence as the fountains, cascades and streams Ravel describes in his Jeux d'Eau. I would definitely recommend this cd and I'm looking forward to buying the second volume when it comes out.

0 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Well intentioned, but ill-informed, March 16, 2011

By 

David - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Complete Piano Works of Maurice Ravel Volume I (MP3 Download)

Pizarro plays these gems of the standard piano repertoire with great love and enjoyment, no doubt. To most who aren't familiar with what is generally accepted as the standard performance practice of these pieces, this is a very enjoyable album to listen to. However Pizarro's interpretation of these pieces lacks the essential research needed to make them shine in the way the composer truly intended. Ravel notoriously demanded of the performers of his works an almost obsessive attention to the detail of his dynamic markings, pedal usage and tempos, many of which Pizarro ignores. One can certainly make the argument that the conventional approach has been overdone and that it's time these pieces have new life breathed in to them. Glenn Gould was famous for doing just that. But Pizarro is no Gould, because one can hear in Gould's recording the maticulous attention to detail, albeit different from the composer's intention, he took in his interpretations. Pizarro's pedal is muddy, his tempos are too slow and his rubatos are overly indulgent. The result is the album sounds clouded and distorted. Many listeners won't care about these things, and will enjoy this album regardless of the absent nuances of Ravel wishes, but they would truly be missing out. I would highly recommend Abbey Simon, Jean-Philippe Collard, or Werner Haas. True masters of their craft who do more than just play music they way they would like to hear it.