Customer Reviews

Maurice Ravel: L'Oeuvre Pour Piano Seul

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have to admit that I found some aspects of Mr. Thibaudet's interpretations of these pieces disorienting. However, as I got out the scores, worked on some of them myself, and listened to these recordings repeatedly, I can now say that I understand more about what the performer is after. Not that I always agree with him. Another person on this site discussed the staccato in the accompaniment of the Pavane. Yes, the orchestral recordings have a lush almost wet sound and many pianists go for that same sound. But once you look at the score, you see those staccato notes are there. Personally, I would soften that effect; I think this performance does sound a bit too dry. But I understand his choice and enjoy having had my horizons broadened.

Mr. Thibaudet has a very capable facility, lots of technique, and a clear idea of each piece and he delivers it without faltering or compromise. I admire that a lot in a performer. His choices ask us for a reaction and we are free to accept or reject what he has offered us. When I first heard these recordings I was quite stand offish, but over time I have come to enjoy them much more and am grateful to Mr. Thibaudet for his strength of conviction as well as his superior musicianship.

I encourage you to get these recordings because they are a strong interpretation of Ravel. You may love everything about it, or you may reject aspects of his interpretations. But in any case you will be enriched by hearing these pieces in a clear and beautifully personal way. That is an important aspect of why we make music and a reason why these recordings are so valuable.

Jean-Yves Thibaudet is the reigning master of the French repertoire for the piano. Not that his talent stops there: a survey of his recordings and performances demonstrate that this is one contemporary master who is equally at home in Chopin, Schubert, Schumann, contemporary works, etc, and he is a fine collaborator with other superb artists. His approach to the keyboard is at once romantic and informed and his technique is dazzling.

The two CD recording does the impossible in demonstrating the Thibaudet can toss of the most lightly fragrant works as well as the formidable challenges of 'Gaspard de la nuit' and the brutally difficult fugue from the elegant 'Le tombeau de Couperin'. Scattered throughout this recital are some rarities such as the 'Sérénade grotesque', the 'Minuet antique', 'Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn', and 'À la manière de. . .' as well as the much loved 'Pavane pour une infante défunte', 'Miroirs' and the 'Valses nobles et sentimentales', each of which Thibaudet transcends the art of impressionist music and takes it to another realm of communication.

But for this listener it is the complete 'Le tombeau de Couperin' that calls for constant replay, so varied are the spirits of the various movements and so surely correct is Thibaudet's touch. And for sheer brilliance this recorded version of 'Gaspard de la nuit' is a pinnacle achievement.

The recording technique used to capture this recital is superb and the presence of the piano is live but never strident. In short, this is a magnificent recording by a consummate artist. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, February 06

Is there a living pianist who plays this music better than Thibaudet? I don't think so. This 2 disc set is a treasure to own. Ravel is one of my two or three favorite composers and I have many albums of the piano pieces inc. Rubenstein, DeLaroccha, Simon, Casadesus, etc. Thibaudet wins hands down. (although DeLaroccha on both her albums of the concerti is pretty amazing!)

I cannot agree with the reviewers who are lukewarm about this set. When these recordings first appeared they were hailed by Gramophone magazine as magnificent interpretations of Ravel's piano music, and Thibaudet's Gaspard is still regarded as one of the few recordings of that work that captures the nuances that Ravel wanted.

The works recorded here are beautifully played and interpreted with great sensitivity. This is a set that can be equaled but not surpassed. If you are interested in the music of Maurice Ravel this set is a must.

I may be more than mildly dissatisfied, though, Charles. Why do some pianists confuse speed with interpretation and quality of performance? Thibaudet, Hough, others are prone to this kind of self-indulgent display. J-Y T flies through parts of the Tombeau so fast there is no time or space for interpretation. We are left with a blur of notes, apparently accurately rendered, but without much nuance, shaping of line. I really thought his purpose here was to get into the Guinness Book of World Records. I am not impressed with finger-flickers showing off their dexterity. I would like to have the music, thank you, and have it presented as the composer intended and indicated in the score. Y-T, you can play Ravel your way; give me someone who plays Ravel his way. Would anyone like to nominate the best Ravel pianist of all time? Perlemuter, Roge, Grimaud? Someone else?

P. S. Please pardon the clumsy reference to Wanda Landowska.

Plain and simple, a solid set, but I personally feel that Thibaudet is no master interpreter of Ravel. He seems a bit "willful" at times, seeming to go for something different rather than appropriate. His staccato in the first bars of the Pavane is shocking to my ears, and makes this stately piece sound rather clumsy and ambling. The same thing happens in the minuet of the Sonatina and also in Le Tombeau's minuet. Other parts are solid and extremely well-played, but I hate his habit of rushing the time on fast phrases and then slowing down again, as if he is impatient. My pick for the best Ravel set would have to be the underrated Anne Queffelec, available on Virgin Classics for a lesser price.

Ravel wrote some of the most fantastic solo piano music of all time, and what better interpreter than a fellow Frenchman (and not to mention incredible pianist) Jean-Yves Tibaudet? His touch is perfect throughout: light and lilting when need be, and appropriately pounding when the time is right.

Its also fascinating to hear many of these works in their original solo piano form. Most people know pieces like "Le Tombeau de Couperin" & "Pavane Pour une Infante Defunte" in their orchestral versions, so these well played pieces show how full and rich Ravel's writing for piano was.

Many solo piano albums bore me to tears, but I never get tired of hearing these pieces being so masterfully played!

We can say lots of things about this CD, but it deserves more. Now, we go to try to describe this album. Jean-Yves Thibaudet, for me one of the best pianist of the lastest years of the 20th century and the frist of the 21th one, plays the piano incredibly good. I've heard the valses nobles et sentimentales with the LSO and Zimmerman, but Thibaudet's version is more magic. Certainly, I can't believe my eyes!

Finally, I think that the purchase of this CD is a good invest for your record library.

I dont know about anyone else but I'm a bit tired of recordings like this. I mainly bought it for 'Gaspard' because I have heard recordings of him playing all the other pieces.
how IRRITATING! so fast and dry and showy.
In scarbo in particuular there were many speedy dry parts that coupled with a clever recording engineer and the perfect piano seem to attempt to hide the fact that he can be very uneven at times.
Why is this person regarded as such a great Ravel interpreter? His interpretations in this respect are extrely puzzling and very self serving. I personaly regret spending money on it.
I think the next great interpertation of Gaspard will be someone who is brave enough to follow the score as it is.
Michelangeli famously said of scarbo "Vif - lively but not actually as fast as possible"

To answer Mr. Howard's question, there IS somebody who plays this music, at least some of it, better. I don't think I'm alone when I say that Martha Argerich's Gaspard de la Nuit is far superior to anything out there.

Thibaudet's playing in general is very dry, which may bother some people, but it just shows that he can play every note. The music still comes across as very beautiful. My only real complaint is about Alborada de Gracioso in which the rhythm sounds very inconsistent, and as a result, the momentum of the piece is almost ruined.

As a whole, this set is a good investment. Ravel wrote some incredible pieces, and Thibaudet does an excellent job playing them for us.