Pianist
Vincent Larderet
has emerged as a specialist in the music of
Ravel
(and also
Scriabin
, where he sounds very different), and here, he undertakes a complete cycle of the composer's solo piano music. There will be four albums in all, leaving room for some rarities. All the works here are well known, albeit some better in orchestral guise.
Larderet
's basic style is clean, coming out of a long tradition that stretches back to
himself through
Vlado Perlemuter
, and for this recording, he used personal copies of the manuscripts collected by
Perlemuter
, containing
's own interpretive markings. Thus this recording might be regarded as doubly authentic. As such, it is quite interesting. In
's hands,
is crisper than usual, even percussive at times, avoiding an overemphasis on hazy Impressionist elements. Sample the
Alborada del Gracioso
, from
Miroirs
, a rather rocking ride. When sheer Lisztian virtuosity is called for in
Jeux d'eau
,
provides it excellently, but he is more about the careful sculpting of
's lines. The
Sonatine
is not the light work the title might suggest, and
gives it its full weight. There may be more spectacular
, but add in fine sound from
Avie
producer
Martin Rust
, recorded at the Alter Sendesaal Bremen, and one has a distinctive
release that stimulates an appetite for the rest of
's set. ~ James Manheim