Ravel: Complete Works for Solo Piano Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

• Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937): Sérénade grotesque, M 5:
• 1 Ravel: Sérénade grotesque, M 5 03:43
• Jeux d’eau, M 30:
• 2 Ravel: Jeux d’eau, M 30 05:36
• Pavane pour une infante défunte, M 19:
• 3 Ravel: Pavane pour une infante défunte, M 19 05:54
• Menuet antique, M 7:
• 4 Ravel: Menuet antique, M 7 06:01
• Sonatine, M 40:
• 5 Ravel: Sonatine, M 40: I. Modéré 04:11
• 6 Ravel: Sonatine, M 40: II. Mouvement de Menuet 03:07
• 7 Ravel: Sonatine, M 40: III. Animé 04:05
• Menuet, M 42:
• 8 Ravel: Menuet, M 42 01:17
• Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn, M 58:
• 9 Ravel: Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn, M 58 02:03
• Miroirs, M 43:
• 10 Ravel: Miroirs, M 43: I. Noctuelles 04:34
• 11 Ravel: Miroirs, M 43: II. Oiseaux tristes 04:08
• 12 Ravel: Miroirs, M 43: III. Une barque sur l’océan 07:16
• 13 Ravel: Miroirs, M 43: IV. Alborada del gracioso 06:39
• 14 Ravel: Miroirs, M 43: V. La Vallée des cloches 05:29
• Gaspard de la nuit, M 55:
• 15 Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit, M 55: I. Ondine 06:48
• 16 Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit, M 55: II. Le Gibet 05:59
• 17 Ravel: Gaspard de la nuit, M 55: III. Scarbo 09:24
• À la manière de... Borodine, M 63a:
• 18 Ravel: À la manière de... Borodine, M 63a 01:41
• À la manière de... Emmanuel Chabrier, M 63b:
• 19 Ravel: À la manière de... Emmanuel Chabrier, M 63b 02:15
• Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68:
• 20 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68: I. Prélude 02:56
• 21 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68: II. Fugue 03:17
• 22 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68: III. Forlane 05:05
• 23 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68: IV. Rigaudon 03:18
• 24 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68: V. Menuet 05:20
• 25 Ravel: Le Tombeau de Couperin, M 68: VI. Toccata 04:08
• Prélude, M 65:
• 26 Ravel: Prélude, M 65 01:32
• Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61:
• 27 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: I. Modéré, très franc 01:19
• 28 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: II. Assez lent 02:12
• 29 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: III. Modéré 01:31
• 30 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: IV. Assez animé 01:02
• 31 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: V. Presque lent 01:33
• 32 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: VI. Vif 00:40
• 33 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: VII. Moins vif 02:48
• 34 Ravel: Valses nobles et sentimentales, M 61: VIII. Épilogue 03:58
• La Valse, M 72b:
• 35 Ravel: La Valse, M 72b 12:26
• Total Runtime 02:23:15

Info for Ravel: Complete Works for Solo Piano

Born in 1875, Ravel was fêted during the 1920s and ’30s as France’s greatest living composer – a remarkable achievement considering the obstacles placed in his path by the ultra-conservative Parisian musical elite of his time. (Ravel was expelled from the Paris Conservatoire twice!). His unique musical style, combining classical form and impressionistic harmony, makes his work immediately recognisable.

Compared to others, Ravel, immensely self-critical, was a slow and conscientious composer, but almost all his relatively small output remains in the repertoire and is performed and recorded regularly.

The piano was Ravel’s first instrument, and although he was no virtuoso himself, he successfully composed some of the most virtuosic pieces in the repertoire, reflecting his extraordinary understanding of the instrument and exactly what sounds and effects he wanted to achieve. He orchestrated a significant number of his piano works, which presents another challenge to the performer: once she or he has heard Ravel’s orchestration of a work, this must of course influence one’s perception of the original. (This is equally true for the listener, of course.)

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet notes: ‘I subscribe completely to Ravel’s idea that a composer does not have to be profound in order to write good music. And furthermore, owing no doubt to his modest character, Ravel rarely addresses us in the first person. He does not confide in us intimately except on the rarest occasions. At these exceptional moments, our admiration for this musical giant, for his intelligence and elegant style of writing, for his perfect proportions, give way to a wave of emotion that is difficult to contain.’

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, piano

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

French pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet combines a rare elegance and clarity in his playing with deep and thoughtful musicality, for which he continues to win the highest acclaim from both critics and audiences.

Recent engagements for Bavouzet have included appearances with the London Symphony Orchestra, The Cleveland and Philharmonia orchestras, and the New Japan Philharmonic. He also premiered Bruno Mantovani’s Piano Concerto with Orchestre National de Lille.

Highlights of his 2010/11 season include performances with Philharmonia and BBC Symphony orchestras and make debut appearances with the London Philharmonic and City of Birmingham Symphony orchestras, and the Sydney Symphony with Vladimir Ashkenazy. In spring 2011 he will tour the US with the Orchestre National de France and Daniele Gatti.

An exclusive Chandos recording artist, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet’s discography includes a cycle of Debussy’s complete works for piano, which has been recognised by many international awards, not least of which a Gramophone and a BBC Music Magazine awards in 2009. His most recently released recording of Bartók’s Piano Concertos with the BBC Philharmonic has already received great acclaim.

Booklet for Ravel: Complete Works for Solo Piano