Customer Reviews

Ravel: Orchestral Works

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

 

 

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.

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.

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.

To me, this is precisely how Ravel would have envisioned his music sounding. Ozawa remains objective enough with his interpretations that I am not left feeling like I'm listening to Ozawa's Ravel, but rather simply Ravel. The Boston Symphony is at the top of its form throughout all the performances. Having played for as long as they had previously under Charles Munch they have a nicely appropriate French sound for the music, but with a complementary American roundness to the sound to go with it. The excellent sound of the Boston Symphony Hall is well known enough as to not need comment. As far as I'm concerned, I'll not be needing another recording of this music. Highly recommended.