Search - Ravel, Debussy, Grumiaux & Beaux Arts Trio :: Ravel: Violin Sonata; Piano Trio; Debussy: Violin Sonata; Cello Sonata [Australia]

To call these recordings "essential" is an understatement

jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 05/26/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"These are definitive performances of chamber music masterpieces by Ravel & Debussy that should be in every collector's library. Arthur Grumiaux's traversals of the Debussy & Ravel violin sonatas are firm, luxurious & jazzy. I vividly recall a beautiful Philips recording of the Debussy sonata by David Oistrakh with Freda Bauer & never thought it could be replaced, but Grumiaux and pianist Istvan Hajdu are totally convincing here. The Debussy cello sonata, a first class work not heard often enough, is effectively played by French musicians Maurice Gendron & pianist Jean Francaix. Rounding out the disc is a classic performance of the Ravel Piano Trio performed by the Beaux Arts Trio, which for decades was a reference recording of this work.



Highest recommendation!"