Maurice Ravel Volume Two - Artur Pizarro - Sunday Herald

This is the second and final volume of Artur Pizarro's survey of the complete piano works of Maurice Ravel. The performances are quite outstanding, displaying the imaginative approach and formidable technique we have come to recognise from this distinguished musician. Recorded in one of the better chamber-music venues in the country - St George's Hill in Bristol - the programme includes Pavane Pour Une Infante Defunte, Le Tombeau de Couperin, Menuet Sur le Nom de Haydn, Valse Nobles et Sentimentales and the two pastiches written "in the manner of" Borodin and of Chabrier. The piano had particular importance in Ravel's approach to composition with practically all of his stylistic innovations appearing initially as keyboard music. Erard, with its light touch and action was his preferred instrument and Pizarro clearly refers to this in his choice of Blüthner with its similar attributes. These are masterful performances captured in recording sound of real distinction.