Ravel : Œuvres orchestrales

Description

Repeatedly reissued by Berlin Classics, a testament to its enduring success, this 1979 recording gives us the opportunity to hear a selection of early works by Maurice Ravel, whether they are pieces originally written for orchestra – La Valse, Boléro – or orchestrations of compositions intended for piano – Ma Mère l’Oye, Pavane. Established in 1952 as the eastern counterpart to the Berliner Philharmoniker, the Berliner Sinfonie-Orchester (now Konzerthaus Orchester Berlin) was meant to record for posterity the French music that was already part of its repertoire. This had not been accomplished during Kurt Sanderling's time, who did so much for the orchestra's reputation, but it was achieved by Günther Herbig, the principal conductor for only two years. However, the student of Hermann Abendroth was not unknown to the Berliners: as assistant conductor and then guest conductor while he was leading the Dresden Philharmonic, the musicians were familiar with his meticulous and analytical approach and a sense of form and structure that did not exclude a sense of color. Qualities quite "Bouléziennes," even if Herbig lacks a touch of Latin temperament in this repertoire! (Yves Kerbiriou)