Search - Ravel, Wolff, Saint Paul Chamber :: Ma Mere L'Oye

Beyond "Bolero"

Erik North | San Gabriel, CA USA | 11/06/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"It is understandable that the first thing people think of when Maurice Ravel's name is dropped is "Bolero", that 1928 experiment of his that became one of the pre-eminent works of 20th century music. But while that may be his most popular work, it isn't the only thing of his that has achieved popularity.



As is shown in this 1991 recording by Hugh Wolff and the St. Paul Chamber Orchestra, there's a lot more to Ravel beyond the huge popularity of "Bolero." Ravel's gift for orchestration, a gift he inherited from another master orchestrator (Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov), is very much in evidence here. "Le Tombeau De Couperin", his homage to the great French Baroque-era composer Francois Couperin, is a colorful four-movement suite; and his orchestration of "Sarabande and Danse" by his contemporary Claude Debussy continues that tradition of orchestral coloring.



The two other works here illustrate Ravel's ability to create great emotions through music. The intimate "Pavane For A Dead Princess" and the complete ballet "Mother Goose" are true examples of great poignancy and childlike wonder. All four works are well performed by the S.P.C.O. under Wolff's direction, and with the proper amount of color and intimacy where needed. Highly recommended, even if one already has many other Ravel recordings in their collection."