Ravel is considered one of the great masters of orchestration, his compositions noted as much for their sensitive and colorful scoring as for their musicality. This release brings together many of his most celebrated works for orchestra, a number of which were originally written as ballet or piano music. Daphnis et Chlo�, a beautifully lyrical work, was the first ballet Ravel worked on, and he went on to score two enchanting suites from it, both of which have led to the work's primary association with the concert hall rather than with the theatre. He followed this success with Ma M�re l'Oye, or "Mother Goose", a charming ballet based on collections of children's fairytales, included in full on this release. Arguably his most famous work is Bol�ro, which, along with Rapsodie espagnole, was inspired by his part-Basque heritage. Thanks to it's powerful evocations of Spain, with a compelling triplet rhythm inspired by Mediterranean folk dances, Bol�ro gained huge popularity both in Europe and America, though it's exotic colors and relentless drive led one audience member to label Ravel "mad". Continuing the Spanish theme is the Pavane pour uneinfanted�funte, a piece originally conceived for the piano and later orchestrated by the composer. Less frantic than the Rapsodie Espagnole - which is characterized by fandango-like rhythms and wild, fierce themes - the Pavane harks back to the customs of the 17th-century Spanish court. The Valses nobles et sentimentales were Ravel's first attempt at the waltz form, and a tribute to Schubert's work of the same name. He later followed this with La Valse, a far more melancholy and despondent work said to have been influenced by the aftermath of the First World War. The works are split between the world-class London Symphony Orchestra, which performs Bol�ro, La Valse and Daphnis et Chlo� with it's characteristic flair, and the Minnesota Orchestra, whose initial release of this music was described as "glittering" and "stylish" by Gramophone magazine. This repertoire portrays Ravel at his most scintillating and offers a perfect introduction to the captivating music of this French composer.
