Debussy, Ravel - BBC Music - May 2012

Debussy, Ravel

This recording has a lot going for it. The Eroica Quartet clearly know these works well, and its leader, Peter Hanson, produces a sweet, clean tone that helps bring out the lyrical potential in much of his music.

Mercifully, there are no inserted rubatos and no extravagant desire to 'interpret' the notes - Ravel preferred his music just to be well played.

There's plenty of energy, too, in the finales, with a 'bite' just the right side of roughness. And the opening of the Debussy obeys his instruction 'trés décidé, often ignored these days.

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