Ravel: Orchestral Works

Winner of the Orchestral category

The 10 best classical records of 2022

6. “The conductor John Wilson’s attention to detail and character suits Ravel’s glistening clarity to perfection, while his “hand-picked” Sinfonia of London struts its magnificent stuff with pride. La Valse is tense with frissons of dread; Alborada del gracioso virtually bounces Spanish sunshine off the Alhambra tiles; and Boléro, in its original ballet version, even had me tapping my feet to this work, which is rare. Irresistible.”

“… I’ve heard no more characterful orchestral performances this year than in the Sinfonia of London’s recording of Ravel’s Bolero with conductor John Wilson. An overwhelming experience." – James McCarthy

Winner of the Spatial Audio category

Edward Seckerson

Performance ****      Recording *****

“… this superbly played and sumptuously recorded disc from the Sinfonia of London and John Wilson amply demonstrates the profound benefits of trusting Ravel. Has Ma mère l’Oye ever sounded more gorgeous or affecting? Every nuance of ‘Laideronnette’ is carefully crafted with no sense of fussiness, while the easing into the final shimmering climax of the fairy garden is judged perfectly, the spacious surround sound giving lustre to the iridescent colours…”

“…  Ma Mère l’Oye and the Boléro are performed in new versions corrected by John Wilson. And one can definitely hear the difference, not only in Ma Mère l’Oye, but especially in the Boléro. But if I recommend this CD, it is primarily for the interpretations of the Sinfonia of London, which under John Wilson’s judicious and inspiring direction presents a quasi-acoustic 3-D scan of the music…” *****

“… This is fleet and lithe music-making of just the kind we know Ravel liked.” ****

Performance *****      Sonics (Multichannel) *****

“… As expected the Chandos engineering is excellent throughout, with the acoustic of the Church of St. Augustine, Kilburn bringing clarity, spaciousness and depth of image in equal measures to the recorded sound. Comparisons with any of the countless other recordings of these ever popular pieces, all of which are already well represented on SACD, are superfluous and while one or more of them will be found already in the libraries of Ravel aficionados, the eloquence of Wilson’s performances – subtly nuanced in the more reflective pieces and rhythmically incisive elsewhere – are unmissable. Another absolute winner for these artists.”