Ravel: Complete Works for Solo Piano

• Main performer: Jean-Philippe Collard
• Booklet languages: English, German, French
• Time: 134:50

Review

The playing of Jean-Philippe Collard has a lot to recommend it, particularly in the way it is so naturally expressive. On this EMI reissue of the solo piano works of Ravel, Collard's use of dynamics and pedal to color the mood and character of each piece never sounds forced or artificial, nor does he ever sacrifice momentum or expression. Among the ear-catching highlights are Miroirs, where Oiseaux tristes is as quietly beautiful as Alborada del gracioso is sparkling; and the Valses nobles et sentimentales, where the expression is intense and intimate, just as Ravel calls for in the performance markings. The Rigaudon of Le tombeau de Couperin is slower than most performers play it, which makes it stand out, but otherwise, it is just as communicative as the rest of the works. Collard does not make all of Ravel's works sound the same, but carefully tailors each one to make them speak eloquently. ~ Patsy Morita, Rovi

Performances

Composer	Title	Time
Maurice Ravel	Sérénade grotesque, for piano	3:36
Maurice Ravel	Menuet antique, for piano (or orchestra)	6:27
Maurice Ravel	Pavane pour une infante défunte, for piano (or orchestra)	6:27
Maurice Ravel	Jeux d'eau, for piano	5:32
Maurice Ravel	Sonatine for piano in F sharp minor	11:22
Maurice Ravel	Miroirs, for piano (or orchestra)	30:07
Maurice Ravel	Gaspard de la nuit, for piano	23:42
Maurice Ravel	Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, for piano	1:46
Maurice Ravel	Valses (8) nobles et sentimentales, for piano (or orchestra)	15:28
Maurice Ravel	Prélude, for piano	1:13
Maurice Ravel	À la manière de. . . , for piano	3:29
Maurice Ravel	Le tombeau de Couperin, for piano	25:41

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Next:	Ravel: Concerto for Piano and Orchestra; Concerto for the Left Hand; Le Tombeau de Couperin