Maurice Ravel : Gaspard de la Nuit

Maurice Ravel's Gaspard De La Nuit is one of the most important Piano works of the 20th century and constitutes the height of the extension of the pianistic playing techniques and tonal possibilites which was already begun by Chopin and Liszt in the 19th century. The three movements Ondine Le Gibet and Scarbo are based on poems by Aloysius Bertrand which Ravel put in front of each of the three pieces. Thus too the work is in a tradition represented by composers such as Schumann and Liszt in the 19th century that combines instrumental music with literary models. For the new edition published by the Wiener Urtext Edition the editorsconsulted not only the first edition used almost exclusively up to now but also Ravel's autograph as well as his personal copy of the first edition on the basis of which numerous passages in the musical text could be corrected and brought closer to Ravel's original intention. In addition the editors included corrections from personal copies of various students of Ravel. Entries of the composer going well beyond mere text corrections and practical performance tips handed down by his students are analysed in the Notes of Interpretation. The reader-friendly large-format Wiener Urtext edition is completed by a trilingual glossary of the French performance instructions used by Ravel as well as English and German translations of Bertrand's three poems.

Ravel ranks as one of the most original French composers of his time. Along with Debussy he stands in the front rank of great modern composers for the piano and his piano music includes a number of masterpieces considered vital to the repertoire of any serious pianist. This volume includes 'Pavane pour une Infant Defunte' 'Sonatine' 'Jeux d'eau' 'Gaspard de la nuit' and 'Miroirs'.

Music Minus One Cello-Written in 1941 Maurice Ravel's piano trio was premiered on January 28 1915 in Paris with distinguished pianist Alfredo Casella playing the piano part. Filled with Basque themes and Ravel's unique impressionist effects the four-movement trio is a wonderful piece which is in its own way reminiscent at times of his famous Gaspard de la Nuit. Highly recommended for any devotée of the famous French composer. Includes a high-quality printed solo part and a compact disc containing a complete performance with soloist then a second version with the accompaniment minus you the soloist. Performed by Alan Shulman violoncello Accompaniment: The Vardi Trio: Emanuel Vardi violin Edwin Hymovitz piano

Considered as one of the masterworks of 20th century piano literature, this critical edition utilizes interpretive clues from such noted French pianists and pedagogues as Casadesus, Perlemuter, and Ciampi, who knew Ravel and studies this piece with him. The original Durand score has not been altered, but editorial changes are pointed out as they occur by means of footnotes. Through her expertise in the French piano literature Nancy Bricard has contributed her own ideas in regard to fingering and metronome markings.