Maurice Ravel Alexandre Tharaud - Ravel LOeuvre pour piano (35 tracks) +Album Reviews

Very very good ravel

Ryan Morris | Chicago, IL | 11/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own Perlemuter, Gieseking, and Casadeus' ravel sets. there are no better versions of gaspard out there than michelangeli's 52\59 recordings, so stop looking, though richter has an outstanding le gibet on a russian label. perlemuter owns the valses and miroirs again with close comp from richter\giese.

Getting to this set, of the modern ones, this ranks as the finest, his finesse is beyond lortie's, and his prediliction for the music is top notch. I suspect if this artist returns to this music in about a decade he has athe capability to outdo all(!) contenders.

This was my first disc by this artist and since then my opinion of his talents have been supported by an exceptional disc of Bach, and an interesting, though slightly boring disc of Rameau(whom i have an internal disperity with). For those who seek great playing at top level sound quality seek no furthur."

A recording as fine and clear like an emrald

Roy U. Rojas Wahl | Teaneck, NJ United States | 11/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tharaud says in the layout that he uses a modern Steinway with clear timbre and pearly peble. Combined with the warm acoustics of the recording location in the wood plated rooms of the church of Saint Pierre de la Villette, Paris, this really produces an astonishing disc of Ravel's piano music, that deserves to be heard, even praised. Tharoud plays with a refinement and delicacy of a Zimerman, and with the temperament of a youth new to the circus, which renders this interpretation one of my favorites in the French repetoire.

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Exceptional performance

paul best | new orleans | 11/29/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Tharaud's tech skills combined with an astonishing display of poetic nuance, reveals a Ravel that few have grasped. Recording sound quality is excellent.

I have made comments on the Roge and Bavouzet listing as well. I recommend all 3, as each of these masters have shown in their ability and consistency over the entire double discs.

This is w/o doubt an essential cd for Ravl fans.

Ravel, composer who was the Full Flowering of the romantic traditions.

EDIT:

I've been listening to Rouvier and Bavouzet's excellent 5++ Star recordings and now have on Tharaud. What this masterful artist does on Gaspard is simply *magical*. I felt the need to update this 3 yr old review by saying Tharaud is on the artistic level of Oistrakh, Keilberth conducting of Wagner, Furtwangler conducting Mozart operas, Schwarzkopf in Mozart, Martha Modl in Wagner's Ring . You get the idea. The music of Ravel, mystical as it is, Tharaud brings a hightened dimension that makes the music come alive and time comes to a stop. Its 100 yrs since Ravel wrote these notes, yet with Tharaud the music realizes its timeless spirit.

One day Ravel will be known for his great art. As with all great artists, take Van Gogh, they are always far ahead of their times.

Paul Best

June 2008

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Great playing acceptable sound quality

fgh dfgh | usa | 07/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Impeccable performance. The playing is slightly less free than Bavouzet's. As for what they call "natural echo", it is too deep and/or mic is too far away from the instrument. The recording sound does not fully convey the nuance and gloss of tone."

Tharaud has found the key to Ravel

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 04/02/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Two generations ago, Walter Gieseking set the standard, so far as I'm concerned, in Ravel. His playing sounded all but effortless, making those rippling cascades, watery textures, and shockingly chic chords sound like improvisations. There are other ways to approach Ravel's piano music, but when it gets too serious or effortful, I think the essence is missed. ravel is to classical music what Watteau is to painting, a disguiser of pathos beneath a charming surface. for both, seriousness is play and vice versa. With that in mind, I thoroughly enjoyed Alexandre Tharaud's set of the complete piano music. It is dazzling and touching, natural and yet refined, brilliant but reflective at the same time. He has found the key to Ravel.

Once someone has found the key, the listener can settle back and absorb everything with confidence and the expectation of joy. It's hard to be pulled into Ravel's often brittle, overly cosmopolitan idiom. At times the charm is empty, if pleasant. Tharaud has a warmer touch than, say, Jean Yves Thibaudet, and he uses the pedal generously when he wants us to feel romantic. Some may prefer more clarity at times, and in a showpiece like 'Gaspard de la nuit,' he's a bit too unassuming. It's in the nature of a complete set that o single reading is better than a particular rival on another recording. for Gaspard, Tharaud falls in the shadow of Argerich and Michelangeli. Yet how simply and touchingly he does Pavane for a Dead Princess. And nothing is annoyingly frivolous, even when the composer is.

In all, this set reflects the seriousness with which the French take Ravel, without falling back on brilliant glibness. It's not time to throw out those old Gieseking recordings, yet they sound more dated now, particularly in the tubby piano sound."

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