Various Artists - Debussy: Complete Works (Various Artists) - COMPACT DISCS [CD]

Finger / Albinoni - Chamber Music for Trumpet [COMPACT DISCS] date 02/07/2011

Maurice Ravel's music reflects the cultural and creative ferment of his times, as the heady sensuality of the Belle Époque made way for neo-classicism, the Jazz Age and modernism. Strikingly diverse in mood and scale, his works assert his distinctive identity, expressed through craftsmanship of the utmost finesse and beauty deeply sensitive and balancing sincerity, irony and a touch of provocation. An essential collection of landmark performances, this 21-CD box of Ravel's complete works brings together major interpreters of the present day and preceding generations. There are even contributions from the composer himself, as conductor, pianist (on piano rolls) and artistic supervisor. Album Tracks 1. CD1- Sérénade Grotesque, M. 5 2. Menuet Antique, M. 7 3. La Parade, M. 11 4. Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte, M. 19 5. Jeux D'eau, M. 30 6. Sonatine, M. 40 I. Modéré 7. Sonatine, M. 40 II. Mouvement de Menuet 8. Sonatine, M. 40 III. Animé 9. Menuet in C-Sharp minor, M. 42 10. Miroirs, M. 43 I. Noctuelles 11. Miroirs, M. 43 II. Oiseaux Tristes 12. Miroirs, M. 43 III. Une Barque Sur L'océan 13. Miroirs, M. 43 IV. Alborada Del Gracioso 14. Miroirs, M. 43 V. La Vallée Des Cloches 15. CD2- Gaspard de la Nuit, M. 55 I. Ondine 16. Gaspard de la Nuit, M. 55 II. Le Gibet 17. Gaspard de la Nuit, M. 55 III. Scarbo 18. Daphnis Et Chloé, M. 57 I. Part 1 19. Daphnis Et Chloé, M. 57 II. Part 2 20. Daphnis Et Chloé, M. 57 III. Part 3 21. CD3- Menuet Sur Le Nom de Haydn, M. 58 22. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales, M. 61 I. Modéré 23. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales, M. 61 II. Assez Lent 24. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales, M. 61 III. Modéré 25. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales, M. 61 IV. Assez Animé 26. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales, M. 61 V. Presque Lent 27. Valses Nobles Et Sentimentales, M. 61 VI. Vif 28. Valse

Robert Casadesus (1899-1972) is today almost considered an American pianist - he based himself there from the Second World War onwards and he is known today through the huge number of recordings he made for US Columbia from 1940 until his death, but as a musician and pianist he was French to the core. He had studied at the Paris conservatoire with Isidor Philipp and Louis Diémer and his combination of immaculate technique, a light and brilliant touch and the refined elegance of his interpretations reveal why he was considered one of the greatest French pianists of the century. Casadesus began his recording career for French Columbia in 1928 and all his recordings for that tag, until he left for the USA, are included here for the first time. Particularly noteworthy is a previously unpublished studio recording of Mozart's 'Coronation' concerto. He excelled in Mozart and Chopin and in French repertoire and all are well-represented in this collection. There are also noteworthy chamber collaborations in the Debussy cello sonata and Fauré Piano Quartet.