Rapsodia Española / Pavana Para Una Infanta Difunta / Concierto Para Piano En Sol Mayor

This 1982 Philips release serves as a curated collection of some of Maurice Ravel's most evocative orchestral and piano works. By the time this compilation was pressed, the Philips label had firmly established a reputation for high-fidelity classical recordings, frequently pulling from their extensive catalog of performances by world-class conductors like Paul Paray and Kiril Kondrashin. The album brings together distinct sessions, pairing the atmospheric textures of Rapsodia Española and the melancholy elegance of Pavana Para Una Infanta Difunta with the jazz-inflected brilliance of the Concierto Para Piano En Sol Mayor, featuring pianist Werner Haas.

The design of this release reflects the standard aesthetic approach for European classical issues of the early 1980s, prioritizing clarity and information for the listener. These recordings, originally produced over various sessions in the preceding decades, were gathered to highlight the versatility of Ravel’s compositions as performed by ensembles known for their specific tonal colors. The collection was received as a solid, reliable anthology for listeners seeking a comprehensive overview of Ravel's mid-century orchestral sound, reflecting the label's commitment to preserving definitive interpretations of the impressionist repertoire.