I enjoy Elgar's music quite a lot, especially his Violin and Cello Concertos. I also enjoy his other orchestral works a lot like "In The South," both symphonies, "Elegy," etc.
Yep, it's him. A nice British-officer handlebar moustache. He's the one who introduced me into British music. No matter how cliché it sounds, it was the P&C March No.1. I think he's still among my four or five dearest favourites out there.
Yes, I would try and acquire that Dutoit Ravel 4-CD set on Decca. I own the one you're talking about with the butterflies on it, but that is with Claudio Abbado and the LSO. Not quite as good as the Dutoit.
While we're on the subject of Ravel, have you heard the Jean Martinon and the Orchestre de Paris EMI set of Ravel? That's a fine set too.
But it's like I said you can't go wrong with Dutoit, Martinon, Boulez, and Tortelier. All are master conductors of Ravel.
Certainly, but I would probably have to order that online, since I haven't seen it around. Although if they co-operate with Decca in a shop, and I know many which do, then I could order it from them, surely. 15-19$, you say? That's very affordable.
I've seen a Trio box of Ravel's orchestral works, it has some nice butterflies on it. Seems interesting, too.
Roussel is one of my French favourites. Neo-classicists with a quite personal voice, yet you can find some Debussy, Ravel, and especially Stravinsky in his music. D'Indy is also fine and dandy - Symphonie Cévenole, for example.
Oh yes I'm well aware of d'Indy and Roussel. I need to get more into those guys though. I like d'Indy a lot. I only own one recording of a few his orchestral pieces. I'll be getting more.
Dutoit and the Montreal Symphony Orchestra performing "Daphnis et Chloe" is a thing of beauty. I would definitely acquire that, but if you save some more money you could probably get the whole Dutoit Ravel box set on Decca for about $15-$19. That's actually the way to go, because you're getting more bang for your buck.
By the way if you haven't heard "Daphnis et Chloe," then be sure that is the next you buy! You will not regret it! See if you can get Boulez or Dutoit's take on that piece. You won't regret it.
But the box sets are the way to go with Ravel. Like I said: Boulez, Martinon, Tortelier, and Dutoit are all good choices.
Ravel is a wonderful composer that I cannot ever get enough of. His music is like an addiction of mine.
Pierre Boulez is regarded by critics as one of the finest interpreters of Ravel's music, but I would also check out Jean Martinon, Yan Pascal Tortelier, and Charles Dutoit's take on Ravel as they are all the top conductors for his music too.
Do I like chamber music? Yes and no. It really depends on what it is, but generally I like larger orchestras better.
