Gramophone Magazine
November 2024
Recording of the Month

François-Xavier Poizat (piano), Philharmonia Orchestra, Simone Menezes

Although Maurice Ravel is not generally considered to have been a very prolific composer, it nevertheless takes no fewer than 6 CDs to record all of his works involving the piano, which are brought together here for the very first time by the pianist François-Xavier Poizat. This exceptional project – the recording took 18 months to accomplish and involved almost 120 musicians, technicians and engineers – presents not only the composer’s complete piano music (concertos, solo pieces and duets), but also all of the chamber works including the instrument and the songs with piano accompaniment. In the good company of the Philharmonia Orchestra under Simone Menezes, the Quatuor Voce, the pianist Louis Schwizgebel, the violinist Michael Foyle or the singers Thomas Dolié, Brenda Poupard, Suzanne Jerosme and Florent Karrer, François-Xavier Poizat covers a large part of Ravel’s creative life, in which the piano was most certainly the essential element, and explores the diversity of the composer’s inspiration. After spending twenty years assimilating this music, the pianist reveals with simplicity, finesse and deep understanding the vast and rich imagination of Maurice Ravel.

"What a stunning collection this is! His keyboard artistry embodies all the best qualities characterising Ravel’s greatest interpreters...No Ravel lover should miss this important release." - Gramophone Magazine, November 2024