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Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales
Maurice Ravel, Pierre Boulez, Cleveland Orchestra
Ravel: The Piano Concertos; Valses nobles et sentimentales
Genre: Classical
 
  •  Track Listings (12) - Disc #1


     
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CD Reviews

The Hype is Right...
12/04/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This disc was awarded the Concerto award in this year's Gramophone Awards. It's not so hard to hear why. This is an outstanding collaboration between Boulez, Zimerman, and the London and Cleveland orchestras. Boulez's clarity helps, as always, as the outer sections of the Left Hand Concerto demonstrate. Zimerman's fiery realization of the solo parts of both concerti is amazing -- the finale of the G major is almost dizzying in its liveliness, and the big cadenza in the end of the Left Hand Concerto is played in the grand manner (without shallow grandiosity). The slow movement of the G major is atmospheric, and Boulez, as expected, heightens the effect of Ravel's colours. This is a great disc, outclassing the competition for the Ravel concerti. For once, the Hype is Right."
Definitive Performances of Ravel's Piano Concertos
John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/25/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is one of the finest collaborations I've heard with a soloist, conductor and two orchestras of the first rank. Zimerman sparkles in both concerti, giving fiery, lively performances that are emotionally and technically dazzling. His dramatic, lyrical playing of the Concerto for Left Hand in D Major is worth the price of the CD alone. Yet it is shared with a commanding performance of Ravel's Concerto in G Major. Boulez is an ideal accompanist, revealing the rich emotional depth of Ravel's scores with clinical precision, without intruding on Zimerman's spellbinding playing. Under Boulez's brisk direction, both the Cleveland and London Symphony orchestras give warm, vibrant performances. Of course Deutsche Grammophon's sound quality is exceptional. Those looking for a definitive collection of Ravel's piano concerti won't be disappointed."
Peerless Ravel-Astounding, Heart Stopping
Jeff Klayman | Los Angeles, CA | 09/27/2004
(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have adored the 2 Ravel Piano Concerti since high school and I have heard every existing recording of these masterpieces. Nothing compares to the interepretations of Zimmerman, especially in the Left Hand Concerto. The opening solo cadenza is truly breathtaking and accomplishes what Ravel intended--that the absence of the right hand would not diminish in the least, the virtuosity of the piano part. Zimmerman has an uncanny ability to bring rhythmic flexibility and freshness in every measure and the concluding cadenza has never been played with such power and moving commitment to Ravel's score. I adore Alicia de Larrocha's recording but Zimmerman easily takes the first prize. Pierre Boulez' conducting is always impassioned and thrilling. A must for any lover or Ravel and the piano."