What’s the best complete set of Ravel’s piano music?

[George]

I saw Casadesus's complete set today in a used store and suddenly realized that I don't have very much of his music, especially the piano.

So, who do you like in the piano works? Casadesus? Gieseking?

Please tell me why you like who you like.

I would like to start with a set, unless that would be unwise for some reason.

[George]

Well, I couldn't wait. I got Casadesus's set as a download for $7.

I am listening to it now and I must say I think he does well here.

The agitated moments are wonderfully played without going over the top and the softer moments are sweet, tender. 

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Bavouzet, without a shadow of a doubt!

[zamyrabyrd]

You can also check out Vlado Perlemuter, friend of Ravel and interpreter of all his piano works that he subsequently recorded. Almost a centenarian, (1904-2002) he played publicly until the age of 89. He played among other works, a beautiful Barcarolle by Chopin, captured on film when he was around 90 or so.

You can also look up Martha Argerich's playing Gaspard de la Nuit. This happens to be on the same CD as Prokofiev's 3rd Piano Concerto and Ravel's Piano Concerto in G (Deutsche Grammophon).

ZB

[George]

Review:

https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=7438

[George]

Review of the Abbey Simon set:

https://www.classicstoday.com/review.asp?ReviewNum=6446

[Todd]

I obviously enjoy both the Simon and Bavouzet immensely (the Simon just a bit more), but Robert Casadesus still sets the standard for me.  He's refined and precise and elegant and just seems to have the music in his blood. 

I have Michael Endres' set on order right now, and have high hopes.  His Schumann, and, especially, Schubert and Mozart are superb.  He's more expressive in quieter moments, and that should work well with at least some of Ravel's music. 

[George]

I obviously enjoy both the Simon and Bavouzet immensely (the Simon just a bit more),

Good news! The Simon is only a fraction of the cost. 

but Robert Casadesus still sets the standard for me.  He's refined and precise and elegant and just seems to have the music in his blood. 

Yes, I have only heard CD 1, but I am very impressed with what I have heard.

I have Michael Endres' set on order right now, and have high hopes.  His Schumann, and, especially, Schubert and Mozart are superb.  He's more expressive in quieter moments, and that should work well with at least some of Ravel's music. 

Someone on rmcr raves about this pianist, but I have never heard him. 

[George]

Another Review of the above set.

[Guido]

P.S. someone should start a Ravel thread on the Composer Discussion board!

[Dancing Divertimentian]

It's bound to be pretty solid. Rogé has carved out a niche for himself in French repertoire (though I haven't heard this disc). His Poulenc is divine, though for me his Debussy, while good, isn't one of the front-runners.

For a knockout Ravel collection the one I most favor is Bavouzet. His choice of piano is a 1901 Steinway D, which has a honey-sweet, burnished sound. The sonority is more on the intimate side, without the hall-engulfing power of a present-day Steinway. But that's the pleasure of it.

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

You can't do without the Vlado Perlemuter set. I have the Vox LPs, and they have been re-issued (two different performances?) on CD a number of times. I'm not sure which one to buy, but I would guess someone here would. Gieseking is very good in this repertiore as well.

[Joe_Campbell]

I have this set, and Thibaudet's technique and sense of colour is amazing. His ultra-light style of playing, however, seems to me a hinderance in some of the "heavier" music (like Gaspard de la Nuit). Still, he plays the Miriors incredibly. Amazon has samples, so I think you could get a pretty good idea whether or not you like his style from those.

[Todd]

The Roge set is very good, but better can be had.  The Bavouzet set is certainly among the better ones I've heard (and sonically breath-taking), but Abbey Simon and Robert Casadesus are the tops.  The Simon is in excellent sound, the Casadesus in good mono. 

[XB-70 Valkyrie]

The Roge set is very good, but better can be had.  The Bavouzet set is certainly among the better ones I've heard (and sonically breath-taking), but Abbey Simon and Robert Casadesus are the tops.  The Simon is in excellent sound, the Casadesus in good mono. 

Casadesus is another one on my list (to buy and listen to). Have you heard the Perlemuter and Gieseking? How do you think they compare to Casadesus?

In any case, Gaspard (likely the Gieseking rendition) is on my list for Halloween listening.

[m_gigena]

What do you guys think of the Jacques Fevrier set?

[lukeottevanger]

I know we're talking about complete sets here, but maybe this is a place to mention a recording of Miroirs from a slightly unexpected quarter which - maybe I'm alone in this - I find really stunning:



The playing isn't always in the Ravel tradition, but it convinces on its own terms. What astonishes me, however, is Chiu's huge tonal variety and tonal control and his ultra-delicate touch. The Decaux is equally stunning in this respect - I simply don't know how he manages to make some of the details of the music sound as he does. The Schoenberg is fine, too.

[Timmyb]

I thought I'd post this for anyone who hasn't seen it.
It's Perlemuter playing Ondine at the age of 90 odd.It's what persuaded me that I needed to get one of his Ravel sets.

http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=Ez1s9JCzvQg

[Todd]

Have you heard the Perlemuter and Gieseking?

I have Perlemuter's Vox recordings, and they are very good indeed.  Probably my favorite Jeux d'eau.  His technique isn't the best ever, but it's up to the challenge.  Sound is slightly better than acceptable.  Gieseking is Gieseking, but here his approach doesn't work as relatively well as for Debussy.  HIs Gaspard lacks a little something, though his Le Tombeau tickles the ears.  It's hit and miss, though the pianism is generally well above average.

[Bulldog]

Any opinions on the set by Heidi Lowy on Bayer?  I've had this set for about two years, but haven't listened lately.  I remember liking what I heard though.