Ravel: Tzigane for Violin and Luthéal Piano (original version)

‘Gypsic’ is the very first recording of violinist Sarah Nemtanu who brings a subtle touch of Balkanese extravagance to classical masterpieces from Ravel and Enesco.

Sarah Nemtanu is one of today’s leading violinists and her career to date commands respect, including being first violin solo with the Orchestre National de France and having performed with many of the most renowned orchestras in the world. For this ambitious recording, Romanian-born Sarah Nemtanu chose to perform pieces from the classical repertoire in arrangements bringing out their Balkan fibre. On this challenging recording Sarah Nemtanu teams up with the influential virtuoso pianist, electro megalomaniac and all-round entertainer Chilly Gonzales who brings his experience in piano improvisations and familiarity with electronic music to arrange classical masterpieces from Ravel and Enesco among others.

This is a very ‘gypsic’ recording in between music and rhythmic, a surprising mixture, impressive in its respect and precision, and delightful in its insubordination to form and genre. The biggest challenge on this album was undoubtedly to rework the Blues from Maurice Ravel’s Violin Sonata, inspired here by rhythmic ethio-jazz, a blend of jazz and the traditional music of Ethiopian azmari minstrels.

Called “adventurous and brilliant” by the New York Times, Hope was named “the most exciting British string player since Jacqueline du Pré,” by the London Observer.  A recent New York Times review summarized him as “a violinist of probing intellect and commanding style,” and continued: “In a business that likes tidy boxes drawn around its commodities, the British violinist Daniel Hope resists categorization.  Mr. Hope, a compelling performer whose work involves standard repertory, new music, raga, and jazz, emphasizes thoughtful engagement over flamboyant display.  In his most personal undertakings, he puts classical works within a broader context – not just among other styles and genres but amid history, literature, and drama – to emphasize music’s role as a mirror for struggle and aspiration.”

28th December 2012 marks the 75th Anniversary of the death of Maurice Ravel, the great French composer, best-known for his beautiful melodies, orchestral & instrumental textures and mesmeric compositional effects.

Many consumers will know Ravel through his masterpieces, such as: Boléro, Pavane pour une infant défunte, Rapsodie espagnole, Gaspard de la nuit, Ma Mère l’oye, Daphnis et Chloë, Le Tombeau de Couperin and La Valse.

For the first time ever, a 14-CD Box Set containing the COMPLETE EDITION of Ravel’s compositions. This is the flagship product, the first time ever that a complete Ravel Box has been issued by any classical label.

In addition to detailed tracklists and artist information to Decca’s high house standard, the 184 page booklet offers full sung texts in original French and with English translation. A 3000-word appreciation of Ravel by Nigel Simeone appears in English, French and German.