Ravel
Paris 1913: L’Offrande lyrique (Nimbus)
A pleasing recital of French chansons all tied to the year 1913 [MP]
French Piano Trios (Hänssler Classic)
The obvious enjoyment in playing together here results in committed performances that delight the ear [SA]
Bestiary on Ivory (Bridge)
Very well performed and recorded, this disc should be heard by all who love the repertoire of the piano [GPu]
Aline van Barentzen (piano) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)
Pianophiles will warmly embrace this latest addition to the Meloclassic roster [SG]
Constantin Silvestri (conductor): Debussy, Ravel & Falla (ICA Classics)
Dramatic Franco-Iberian precision from an unexpectedly potent 1960s partnership [JW]
Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition (Gramola)
Two classic accounts of Mussorgsky’s pictures in both the original version and Ravel’s orchestration [SB]
Aline van Barentzen (piano) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)
An absolute feast of piano recordings that greatly expands our knowledge of a pianist who has been very undeservedly forgotten [RCh]
Impressions of Iberia (Da Vinci Classics)
An impressive debut recording from the Cygnus Trio [DJB]
Rarities of Piano Music at Schloss vor Husum Vol 14 (Danacord)
A fine selection of little known works by well-known and obscure composers each a masterpiece or a forgotten gem [JF]
Edith Peinemann (violin) Radio Archives Edition (Meloclassic)
A set to treasure [SG]
Ravel: Complete Piano Works (MDG)
(Déjà Review) Bavouzet’s playing is restricted to a most narrow range: wonderful to superb [MC]
The Berliner Philharmoniker and Seiji Ozawa (Berliner Philharmoniker Recordings)
A great orchestra pays its tribute to a much loved conductor [PH]
Paris est une fête (Fuga Libera)
Paris, Pelléas, Party – a winning trio in this sparkling collection [RCh]
Fazil Say (piano): Oiseaux tristes (Warner Classics)
Artistry and insight from Say [PH]
Eduard van Beinum (conductor): Weber, Ravel & Berlioz (Forgotten Records)
Apart from the lack of any documentation, this is a most interesting release [JQ]
Aaron Rosand (violin) In Memoriam (Rhine Classics)
The vibrant, alluring art of arch-Romanticist, Aaron Rosand [JW]
Mischa Elman (violin)The complete Victor recordings (1926-32) (Biddulph)
Elman’s glittering morceau (and some others) in splendid transfers [JW]
Karajan Conducts French Music (Pristine Audio)
Familiar recordings, probably skippable [SV]
Rachmaninov: Symphony No 3 (Fuga Libera)
The symphony is here given the best possible advocacy and Ravel’s nightmarish La Valse makes the perfect pendant [RMo]
Richard Galliano (accordion): Around Gershwin (Pentatone)
This imaginative and varied programme proves emphatically that Richard Galliano still sits safely on his throne as the King of the Accordion [GF]
Johannes Obermeier (piano): Brilliants (Genuin)
A début that very much lives up to its name [RCh]
Five Elements Vol 1: Acqua – piano recital (Da Vinci Classics)
An outstanding recital showcasing a formidable technique; let down by poor sound [DMD]
French Works for Two Pianos (Apex)
(Déjà Review) Great value, in terms of quality and quantity [GPJ]