Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé - Mata (1980)

Maurice Ravel

Daphnis et Chloé

(Complete Ballet)

Dallas Symphony Orchestra & Chorus

Eduardo Mata

RCA RL 13 458

A tribute to the late Mexican Maestro Eduardo Mata, who died prematurely in 1995 in a plane crash as he was flying his own Piper and whose art I had the pleasure to enjoy live in Florence in the 80s - presenting one of the most beautiful discographic achievements with his Texan ensemble.

Without doubt, one of the most elegant and sophisticated scores of all times, Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé calls for a virtuoso and precise orchestral playing, coupled by a fine touch for colouring by the conductor.

Mata and the superb Dallas Symphony do not disappoint, in this stunning early digital recording.

Original July 1980 review at Gramophone here

LP Transfer

Flac & Covers

Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit, Sonatine, Valses Nobles... - Argerich

Maurice Ravel
Gaspard de la Nuit, Sonatine, Valses Nobles et Sentimentales
Martha Argerich
I Grandi Interpreti della Musica Classica - DeAgostini (out of print)

I picked this one up during my last trip back home. It's part of the first classical collection on CD I ever purchased (my first classical recordings were on LP). DeAgostini made a terrific job back then, assembling a collection of not-so-obvious masterpieces by first-rate performers. Their being not-so-obvious made me look at the collection with some suspicion back then. My appreciation of Ravel's piano works has only blossomed now, approximately 20 years after purchasing the CD in question. And together with it, I have come to a better appreciation of that wonderful collection.
This is a milestone of Ravel's and Martha Argerich's discography, with the Argentinian still at the apex of her virtuosity, so there's no need for an endorsement review.