Search - Ravel, Narriner, Lindsays :: Tombeau De Couperin / String Quartet in F / Valse

Great Ravel Collection for the Novice or Devotee!!

Kevin Currie-Knight | Newark, Delaware | 12/20/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"As for me, I'm somewhere in the middle. My acquatintance with Ravel has been too short to be considered old, too long to be considered young. This collection is perfect. It is easy-going and diverse enough to be a great introduction while retaining the sophistication and beauty that the hardcore Ravelier would naturally expect. To statt off, Academy of St. Martin in the fields does fantastically with the demanding syncopations and delicate melodicism of "Le Tombeau de Couperin." Not to mention that this, of course, provides a perfect, playful lead in to what becomes a thrilling CD. The string quartet is next. If you're like me (someone with unbelievable taste and refined sensibilities :-)) this is the big payoff on most any Ravel collection. The Lindsays do not dissapoint, giving us a more mild-mannered approach than the Emerson or Tokyo quartets. I wouldn't have thought it but the less aggressive mood really works here (most shockingly, in the snappy second movement.) the only minor complaint is that the sound quality is a bit thinner than I wanted it to be (not much bass or high treble.) Now on to the "Valeses Nobles et Sentimentales." Alright, I confess- this is the first time I've heard this one (on solo piano, anyhow) so I've nothing to compare it too. I have to say, though, that gordon Fergus-Thompson handles these crystal-clear waltzes with the passion that they deserve. Lastly, there is the "Introduction and Allegro." Little did I suspect it, but this quickly overtook the string-quartet as the most repeated selection on my CD player. The interplay between instruments flows beautifully. The players have obviously mastered the art of listening as they've achieved perfect teamwork. And I'm not sure I've heard many things more beautiful than the extended harp solo. In conclusion: Track Choices- A, Musicianship- A, Sound Quality- A-. Get this disc and fall in love with Ravel (whether for the first or one-hundredth time.)"