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Little Master in a Big Country

Donald Macleod tells the story of Ravel’s thrill at first visiting the USA, a four-month odyssey that took in jazz, Broadway, Gershwin…and 20 pairs of pyjamas!

Donald Macleod tells of the story of Ravel’s thrill at first visiting the USA, a four-month odyssey that took in jazz, Broadway, Gershwin…and 20 pairs of pyjamas!

The music of Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) is much loved for its remarkable orchestral colours and brilliant virtuosity. But his chamber music - intimate, crystalline, and beautiful - is often overlooked. This week, Donald Macleod introduces every one of Ravel’s works for small instrumental ensemble - an array of work that spans the composer’s colourful life and career.

In the spring of 1927, Ravel toured the USA at the height of the Roaring Twenties. He was delighted by what he found - but took the careful preparation of packing no fewer than twenty pairs of pyjamas for the trip! Donald Macleod tells a story of mutual excitement, as Maurice Ravel and America fell in love with each other, with a complete performance of the composer’s jazz-tinged Violin Sonata.

Fanfare for “L’Eventail de Jeanneâ€
New York Philharmonic
Pierre Boulez (Conductor)

Tzigane [original version for violin and luthéal]
Sarah Nemtanu, violin
Romain Descharmes, piano

L’Enfant et les Sortilèges (excerpts)
Duo miaulé… Ronde des chauves-souris
Jane Berbié (the cat), mezzo-soprano
Camille Maurane (the tom-cat), baritone
Francoise Ogeas (the child), soprano
Sylvaine Gilma (the nightingale), soprano
Jeannine Collard (the dragonfly), mezzo-soprano
Colette Herzog (the bat), soprano
R.T.F. National Orchestre
R.T.F. Choeur De Radio France
R.T.F. Maitrise De Radio France
Rene Alix, chorus master
Lorin Maazel, conductor

Trois Chansons Madécasses
Cyrielle Ndjiki Nya (soprano)
Kaoli Ono (piano)
Sarah Van Der Vlist (flute)
Albéric Boullenois (cello)

Violin Sonata no 2 in G Major
Roberts Balanas, violin
Siqian Li, piano

Produced by Steven Rajam

59 minutes

Last on

Fri 22 Jul 2022 12:00

Music Played

  • Maurice Ravel

    Fanfare (L'éventail de Jeanne)

    Orchestra: New York Philharmonic. Conductor: Pierre Boulez.
    • SONY : 88875108732.
    • SONY.
    • 1.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Tzigane

    Performer: Sarah Nemtanu. Performer: Romain Descharmes.
    • NAIVE : V5235.
    • NAIVE.
    • 2.
  • Maurice Ravel

    L'Enfant et les Sortileges (excerpt)

    Performer: René Alix. Singer: Jane Berbié. Singer: Camille Maurane. Singer: Françoise Ogéas. Singer: Sylvaine Gilma. Singer: Jeannine Collard. Singer: Colette Herzog. Orchestra: Orchestra National De Rtf. Choir: Maîtrise de Radio France. Choir: Chœur de Radio France. Conductor: Lorin Maazel.
    • Deutche Grammophon : E4497692.
    • DG.
    • 15.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Trois Chansons Madécasses

    Performer: Kaoli Ono. Performer: Sarah Van Der Vlist. Performer: Albéric Boullenois. Singer: Cyrielle Ndjiki Nya.
    • MIRARE : MIR620.
    • MIRARE.
    • 3.
  • Maurice Ravel

    Violin Sonata No 2 in G major

    Performer: Roberts Balanas. Performer: Sigian Li.
    • LINN : CKD 664.
    • LINN.
    • 7.

Broadcast

  • Fri 22 Jul 2022 12:00

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