Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales

Maurice Ravel (Composer), Pierre Boulez (Conductor), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra), London Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Krystian Zimerman (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Krystian Zimerman
• Orchestra: Cleveland Orchestra, London Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Pierre Boulez
• Composer: Maurice Ravel
• Audio CD (February 9, 1999)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000009MF7
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #17,798 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 36 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Hype is Right..., December 3, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales (Audio CD)

This disc was awarded the Concerto award in this year's Gramophone Awards. It's not so hard to hear why. This is an outstanding collaboration between Boulez, Zimerman, and the London and Cleveland orchestras. Boulez's clarity helps, as always, as the outer sections of the Left Hand Concerto demonstrate. Zimerman's fiery realization of the solo parts of both concerti is amazing -- the finale of the G major is almost dizzying in its liveliness, and the big cadenza in the end of the Left Hand Concerto is played in the grand manner (without shallow grandiosity). The slow movement of the G major is atmospheric, and Boulez, as expected, heightens the effect of Ravel's colours. This is a great disc, outclassing the competition for the Ravel concerti. For once, the Hype is Right.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitive Performances of Ravel's Piano Concertos, April 25, 2001

By 

John Kwok (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales (Audio CD)

This is one of the finest collaborations I've heard with a soloist, conductor and two orchestras of the first rank. Zimerman sparkles in both concerti, giving fiery, lively performances that are emotionally and technically dazzling. His dramatic, lyrical playing of the Concerto for Left Hand in D Major is worth the price of the CD alone. Yet it is shared with a commanding performance of Ravel's Concerto in G Major. Boulez is an ideal accompanist, revealing the rich emotional depth of Ravel's scores with clinical precision, without intruding on Zimerman's spellbinding playing. Under Boulez's brisk direction, both the Cleveland and London Symphony orchestras give warm, vibrant performances. Of course Deutsche Grammophon's sound quality is exceptional. Those looking for a definitive collection of Ravel's piano concerti won't be disappointed.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Beautifully Conceived Pieces and Stunning Pianism, July 3, 2002

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales (Audio CD)

I have to admit that I came to this disk with some lack of enthusiasm. First, Boulez can seem a bit to controlled and cold for my tastes at times (but lately he is changing my mind!) and though Zimmerman is a magnificent pianist, the G major concerto and the Concerto for the Left Hand is not often really played well. I was after the orchestrations of the Valses nobles et sentimentales.

Well, the performance of the G major concerto won me over enough to listen a few more times. I have to admit that I have become hooked on it and have come to understand why this is such a favorite. It really is a wonderful composition.

The pieces I was after - the Valeses nobles et sentimentales - are exquisite and played here with utter beauty. A joy to listen to over and over again. Even if I still REALLY love the version for solo piano (being a prejudiced pianist).

The complete stunner on this disk is the Concerto for the Left Hand. It is almost unbelievable how well this is played. Even with the score right in front of you as you follow along you can't believe this is actually being pulled off so cleanly and with such a thoroughgoing conception. I can't help imagining cheers and waves of applause every time I hear this performance. This disk is another treasure in my collection.