Samson Francois Archive

RAVEL by Cluytens = Orchestral Retrospective – Samson Francois, piano/ Paris Conservatory Orch./ Andre Cluytens – Urania Arts

by Audiophile Audition | Jun 21, 2017 | Classical Reissue Reviews

RAVEL by Cluytens = Bolero; La Valse; Rapsodie espagnole; Valses nobles et sentimentales; Menuet antique; Pavane pour une Infante defunte; Le tombeau de Couperin; Ma mere l’oye – Suite; Alborada del gracioso; Une barque sur l’ocean; Piano Concerto for the Left Hand – Samson Francois, piano/ Paris Conservatory Orchestra/ Andre Cluytens – Urania Arts Stereo WS 121.268-2 (2 CDs) 73:26; 78:59 (11/2/16) [Distr. by Albany] ****: Urania selectively assembles the Ravel legacy of Belgian conductor Andre Cluytens, who made France his adoptive homeland. Given that Erato has issued a 65-CD retrospective on Belgian maestro Andre Cluytens (1905-1967), this Ravel set on Urania may relieve some of the fiscal (and storage) burdens of so extensive a collection. Cluytens and Samson Francois did record the G Major Concerto, but that you must seek on other sources, including the Erato set. At least one commentator has complained about both the Urania cover art – he calls it “pornographic” – and the price, so caveat emptor! The set opens with Cluytens’ 1961 rendition of the ever-effective Bolero, that amazing bit of “orchestration without music” (1927) that Ravel hoped would become the whistling staple of every Parisian pushcart owner. Having set a moderate tempo, the […]