Ravel: Complete Works

Maurice Ravel was an enigmatic man, but his reputation is no mystery: he is recognised as one of France's greatest composers and a luminary of 20th century music.

His career reflected a period of rich cultural evolution, from the heady sensuality of the Belle Époque to the bold angularity of the Jazz Age and Modernism. For all their diversity of form and expression, his works consistently assert a distinctive identity, expressed through craftsmanship of the utmost finesse and beauty.

This 21-CD box of Ravel's complete works brings together landmark performances by major interpreters of the present day and preceding generations. Even the composer himself contributes - as perfomer and artistic supervisor of historic recordings - epitomising 'l'esprit français' of the entire collection.

From the CD and LP era the artists include: Martha Argerich, Bertrand Chamayou, Samson François, Beatrice Rana, Alexandre Tharaud, Renaud Capuçon, Christian Ferras, Gautier Capuçon, Quatuor Ébène, Jessye Norman, Janet Baker, Mady Mesplé, Sabine Devieilhe, José van Dam, Gabriel Bacquier, Sir John Barbirolli, André Cluytens, Mikko Franck, Carlo Maria Giulini, Jean Martinon, Charles Munch, Yannick Nézet-Séguin, Riccardo Muti, Michel Plasson and Sir Simon Rattle.

In addition to Ravel himself, performers from 78rpm era include: Robert Casadesus, Alfred Cortot, Jacques Février, Marguerite Long, Marcelle Meyer, Arthur Rubinstein, Zino Francescatti, Jane Bathori, Fanny Heldy, Madeleine Grey, Pierre Bernac, Charles Panzéra and Pierre Monteux.