Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works
Deutsche Grammophon, 2025
9/10
Listen to Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works
The inimitable pianist Seong-Jin Cho pays homage to Ravel on his 150th birthday with these interpretations of his complete solo piano music and with the two concertos to follow.
“Sérénade grotesque, M. 5” opens the listen with an animated and unpredictable climate that’s both playful and intricate, and it isn’t long until “Sonatine, M. 40” recruits plenty of intimacy via the rich and reserved piano progressions that radiate much beauty.
Finishing out Disc 1 is the colorful and manipulated keys of “Miroirs, M. 43” that nearly seems sci-fi, while Disc 2 opens with the dreamy and cinematic presence of “Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55”.
Deeper into the back half, “À la manière de Borodine, M. 63/1” showcases much melodicism, where Cho’s dancing keys are both heartfelt and mesmerizing, and “Le Tombeau de Couperin, M. 68” exits with a meticulous and memorable demeanor that’s cautious yet bright.
Cho’s performance is flawless, as his tribute to the Ravel flows with eloquence, adventurousness and much emotional depth and technical prowess.
Travels well with: Daniil Trifonov- My American Story: North; Yuja Wang- Rachmaninoff