Ravel: Orchestral Works

Maurice Ravel (Composer), Seiji Ozawa (Conductor), Boston Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Boston Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Seiji Ozawa
• Composer: Maurice Ravel
• Audio CD (May 16, 1995)
• SPARS Code: ADD
• Number of Discs: 2
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GHS
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #140,135 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Boléro - Tempo di Bolero moderato assai

2. Rapsodie espagnole: Prélude à La Nuit: Très Modéré

3. Rapsodie espagnole: Malaguena: Assez Vif - Assez Lent

4. Rapsodie espagnole: Habanera: Assez Lent et d'un Rythme Las

5. Rapsodie espagnole: Feria: Assez animé - Très modéré - De plus en plus animé

6. Valses nobles et sentimentales: Modéré

7. Valses nobles et sentimentales: Assez lent

8. Valses nobles et sentimentales: Modéré

9. Valses nobles et sentimentales: Assez Animé

10. Valses nobles et sentimentales: Presque Lent

See all 20 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Menuet antique - Maestoso

2. Le tombeau de Couperin: Prelude: Vif

3. Le tombeau de Couperin: Forlane: Allegretto

4. Le tombeau de Couperin: Menuet: Allegro moderato

5. Le tombeau de Couperin: Rigaudon: Assex vif Moins vif - Assex vif

6. La Valse

7. Alborada del Gracioso

8. Une Barque sur l'Ocean

9. Pavane pour une infante defunte

10. Daphnis et Chloe

See all 12 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful interpretations of Ravel music, March 15, 2006

By 

Daniel L. Ayala (Columbia, SC United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ravel: Orchestral Works (Audio CD)

This double decker DG release of the Ravel Orchestral works with Seiji Ozawa and the Boston Symphony are first rate recordings. This was my first exposure really to Ravel as a child and have since amassed recordings of various works by great conductors of his music including Abbado, Boulez, Martinon, and Previn. This collection still remains to be a favorite of mine.

I suspect that they are a favorite of mine in large part due to the fact that Mr. Ozawa was fresh in Boston having recently taken the helm there in the early 1970's. They are light, dynamic, fast-paced, exciting, not to mention the incredible recording techniques of the DG engineers.

My favorites in this collection include Alborada, La Valse, Rhapsodie, and of course Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2. What I especially love about this Daphnis is that Seiji did not opt out of the chorus for the suite like so many conductors do. It really adds to the impressionistic sound that Ravel was so famous for.

As a percussionist myself , i found the section to be played cleanly - and these recordings bring out all the nuances without overpowering. The section simply sparkles. On the whole - the BSO (in my opinion) really stand up to their European counterparts.

I highly recommend this set - treat yourself and pick it up.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A great set at a great price, February 15, 2008

By 

Sarah Bates (Youngstown, OH USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ravel: Orchestral Works (Audio CD)

This recording is stupendous. Being an oboist, I have been compiling recordings of Ravel repertoire, namely "Le Tombeau de Couperin". Ralph Gomberg's performance of "Tombeau" is simply outstanding and seems so effortless (NOT an easy feat for any oboist).

The remainder of the pieces on this two-CD set are comparably well-performed. Although sometimes orchestras tend to get a little sloppy especially in vertical alignment when performing Ravel's works, Boston does not display these tendencies.

This set is a wonderful addition to the collection of any Ravel enthusiast wanting to build his or her library with recordings of quality performances.

11 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Everything is good but Le Tombeau de Couperin, April 29, 2001

By 

K. Farlow (Seattle, WA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Ravel: Orchestral Works (Audio CD)

I had never heard of Seiji Ozawa before I purchased this double-CD set. I can't say that I am awe-struck, but I am not disappointed.

This double CD has a great collection of Ravel's work, as you can see. My only complaint is the version of Le Tombeau de Couperin. At times it was as though the orchestra had trouble keeping up with Mr. Ozawa. Ravel liked to conduct his music at a breakneck pace, but I'm certain that he would have slowed down if he were extending beyond their limits. Other conductors that have done better versions of this piece are Andre Previn and Charles Dutoit.