Search - Maurice Ravel, Claudio Abbado (Conductor), London Symphony Orchestra :: Ravel: Bolero / Rapsodie Espagnole / Ma Mere l'Oye / Pavane pour une Infante Défunte [Deutsche Grammophon]

Absolutely Wonderful

G.D. | Norway | 08/22/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The works on this disc are of course well-known and probably represented in most music collections. Yet even if you have several other versions, I urge you to consider it, for rarely have I heard the works played so magically and atmospherically as by the London Symphony Orchestra under Claudio Abbado (and his Daphnis & Chloe is even finer, by the way). In many ways, these are rather "sober" readings, without any excessive "interpretation" nor any notable idiosyncrasies; but few others are able to realize the various orchestral textures and colors with such magic and subtle variation. Best, perhaps, is the utterly alluringly magical rendition of Ma Mére l'Oye. The Rapsodie Espagnol is also enchantingly wonderful, and even the hackneyed Bolero is more urgent, atmospheric and packs more power in the final sections than any alternative version I can recall hearing. In short, a strongly recommended disc."