Repertoire: Ravel's Piano Concertos, Together and Apart

There have been standard recommendations in these works for decades, but I have at least one "sleeper" to bring to your attention that may come as a surprise.

[williamrobinson]

Heard Mitsuko Uchida play it in Boston this past season. First time I’d ever heard the piece. Loved every second of it.

[alphonz]

My first contact with the left-hand-concerto when I was a school boy was the Gavrilov/Rattle recording. I loved it and couldn't stop listening... Best wishes from Germany!

[davidchan]

Thanks for doing all these. I’m so happy that you mentioned Francois/Cluytens last (best). I love Francois’ Chopin Nocturnes too!

[DanielPerrea]

I find the build in the middle of the third movement to be one of Ravels best moments. The rising and falling arpeggios in the bassoon and the falling three note motif are so great.

[DavidAgdern]

Agree 100% that Alicia de Larrocha was a great pianist and should not be forgotten.
Also, for the G Major Concerto, Michelangeli is in a class by himself, and the Rachmaninoff PC#4 that it’s coupled with receives a transcendental performance.

[gillesprisse]

Hello Dave, here Gilles from France. Other marvelous interpretations of the 2 concertos : François René Duchâble (again) accompanied by Michel Plasson conducting the "Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse". It is available on EMI coupled with the Debussy's "Fantasy for piano and orchestra". Sincerely

[davisbone]

I couldn't agree more about what you say concerning the French orchestras. I love their sound so much! I was so upset when Barenboim became the musical director of l'Orchestre de Paris and demanded that the bassoonists and hornists change to German instruments and got them to abandon that special traditional sound. what a shame!! musical crime

[RabidCh]

This might be the only video where all my favorites in stereo showed up and I completely agree with everything!

[michelangelomulieri]

Totally agree with all the recommendations and the final top choice Cluytens/François!

[williamwhittle]

I have the Cluytens box. After reading your review I listened again to both Concertos. What wonderful insights these artists had. I’m also fond of Bavouzet’s recordings, and have the de Lorrcha as well. Once heard her live perform a Mozart concert with the Atlanta symphony with Yoel Levi.

[tonydepaolis]

Just stumbled onto your channel today- enjoying everything immensely! Thanks for all the videos.

I must confess a soft spot for Casadesus' recording of the Left Hand Concerto with Ormandy and the Philadelphia. The early 60s recording is sounding fairly thread bare at this point, but there's something in the varieties in Casadesus' piano touch and how he deploys it in phrasing the solo part that seems terribly authentic, especially given his personal association with Ravel. In a way, both the sonics and the piano itself not being able to keep up when the climaxes come add to the drama of the work for me. As always, ymmv.

[MrInterestingthings]

Krainy sounds like something we've all missed and should now order ! Samson Francois is a marvel !

[chutton]

Hi David, I enjoyed this video. It inspired me to listen to Kocsis/Fischer today, which I found very enjoyable. I "learned" the concerto in G from the Argerich/Abbado recording back in college, have enjoyed Michelangeli, and have also heard the Zimerman/Boulez. I really need to get to know the LH concerto better.
After reading CT.com for so long, it's nice to find you on YouTube!
Kind regards, Charles

[ewaldsteyn]

Can only shout AMEN to your first choise!

[UlfilasNZ]

I was sure you would mention Zimerman and Boulez!

[grahamexeter]

When I saw the word 'sleeper' I thought "Ah - he's going to recommend Monique Haas!" Nup. Never mind - I'll continue to keep her all to myself ...

[philscott]

One you didn't mention - of the G major, but they also recorded the Left Hand concerto - is a 1967 Decca recording with Julius Katchen with the LSO/Istvan Kertesz. It was coupled with a lovely Bartok No. 3. That Ravel G Major is the version I 'learned' it from so maybe it's just nostalgia but I still love it - along with Francois, Larrocha, Michaelangeli, and Argerich 1. By the way, I hate the "how fast can I play this" third movements of Yuja Wang and the overrated Benjamin Grosvenor: THEY should listen to Michaelangeli!

[pascalrousseau]

Coincidence that you speak of Argerich and Abbado. I`ve just listened the concerto in G of Ravel with Marguerite Long and Ravel himself on Dutton Label (on spotify) of 1932. The sound is impressively good but the interpretation so different from what I know (filled with instrument solos). For instance, Abbado/Argerich interpretation. I have so many questions on the subject. I am confused but at the same time thrilled.

[williamhicks]

The Francois is one of my 'desert island' discs. By the way, Cluytens was Belgian; the correct pronunciation of his last name is CLOO'-TAWNS(silent but nasal 'n', and the final 's; is sounded.) A Belgian told me this, haha! I struggled with his name for years.

[ScotPeacock]

I confess I have yet to hear Cluytens’ recordings. Thanks for the heads-up.

Years ago, I started on the works with the DG disc of Abbado/LSO with Martha Argerich (their second recording of the G major) and Michel Beroff in the D minor. I still like those, but I’ve since got her earlier recording with Abbado of the G, coupled with the Prokofiev 3 (wow!), and I also now have Alicia De Larrocha doing both on a Decca Virtuoso release and they are absolutely stunning! That CD comes with her performance of Nights in the Gardens of Spain. Yum!

I’m curious: how do you feel about Argerich’s second recording? I still like it, although it seems to lack the spontaneity of the earlier one. And what do you think of the Aldo Ciccolini/Martinon recordings? I mean, it’s Martinon doing Ravel, so what’s not to like, although I get distracted by the obviously spotlit piano, spotlit by a mono mic. It feels cut and pasted onto the otherwise beautiful stereo sound image, which is a shame.