Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé Suites; Ma Mère l'Oye; Valses nobles et sentimentales

• Main performer: Stanislaw Skrowaczewski
• Booklet languages: English
• Time: 78:48
• Release Date: 1975

Review

First released by Vox in 1975, these splendid recordings by Stanislaw Skrowaczewski and the Minnesota Orchestra of masterworks by Maurice Ravel receive a fresh remastering for this hybrid SACD, scrupulously engineered in 2005 by Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab. Working from the carefully preserved four-track analog master tapes, and processing the sound through its GAIN 2 system (Greater Ambient Information Network), the label has produced a credibly resonant surround sound environment for the music; and the recordings' range and depth are vivid and realistic, even on a standard stereo player. The advanced technology makes Ravel's sumptuous scores come alive with almost the same detail and dynamic variety that can be expected of a fine DDD recording, and the original quadraphonic sound is almost as convincing as many later 5.0 or 5.1 multichannel recordings. Skrowaczewski's interpretations are masterful and magically atmospheric, and the Minnesota Orchestra plays at a world-class level of technical polish and expression, with no missteps in execution or tone quality. These colorful performances of the two suites from Daphnis et Chloé, Ma mère l'oye, and Valses nobles et sentimentales were critically praised on their LP release, so this reissue should garner as many kudos and find an honored place in any audiophile's collection. ~ Blair Sanderson, Rovi

Performances

Composer	Title	Time
Maurice Ravel	Daphnis et Chloé, suite No. 1 for orchestra	13:36
Maurice Ravel	Daphnis et Chloé, suite No. 2 for orchestra	17:16
Maurice Ravel	Ma mère l'oye, ballet for orchestra	30:03
Maurice Ravel	Valses (8) nobles et sentimentales, for piano (or orchestra)	17:53

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