Search - Maurice Ravel, Claudio Abbado, London Symphony Orchestra :: Ravel: Piano Concertos

Extraordinary Performances and recording clarity

10/17/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Abbado as always is tops, so are Argerich, who in this recording is better than previously and Beroff who does justice to Ravel's perhaps best opus. Couperin would be satisfied with this fastidiously well timed performance of Ravel's hommage."

Good but a mismatching

Homiski | 09/25/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Martha Agerich still commands attention with her top-heavy performances of the Ravel G major Piano Concerto. A sensitive performer, Agerich gets 2 thumbs up for her interpretations, albeit with some reservations. Her touch is more suited to the Romantic repertory (I'm thinking of her recording of Chopin Preludes), but doesn't shine as brightly with Ravel. She is an amazing performer, but I think this recording suffers in comparison to better paired performer/conductors. Abbado is a very capabable conductor, but one merely needs to hear the Zimerman and Boulez recording to realize the potential of Ravel's 2 piano concerti. Beroff, another pianist with chops, does admirable work, but again, check out Zimerman doing both of them with Boulez. That recording is like hearing magic: the sparks and fireworks of Ravel's orchestration under Boulez's lucid ears. The other 'plus' of THIS recording is that Abbado has also programmed three of Ravel's orchestrated piano pieces. Showcasing his talent as orchestrator of the century, Ravel orchestrated these pieces originally written for solo piano and one would listen to them none the wiser!"