The reissue of this excellent Ravel disc at mid-price indicates just how consumer-oriented the classical music market has become. With so many fine discs by big name artists devoted to this music, it would be easy to overlook Tortelier’s complete orchestral music series, and it’s unquestionably a hard sell at full price. The truth, though, is that these performances leave nothing to the competition, and roundly eclipse many a more illustrious name. Christopher Blake’s world-class oboe playing in Le Tombeau de Couperin and the numerous marvelous solo licks in Ma Mère l’oye (one of the two or three finest versions available) reveal an Ulster Orchestra completely at ease with Ravel’s virtuoso demands, and Tortelier doesn’t make the slightest misstep. He offers stylish, elegant conducting that doesn’t stint on excitement where called for. In fact, he blows away such highly acclaimed recordings as those by Charles Dutoit on Decca, to cite just one over-praised competitor, so if you missed this disc at full price, here’s a welcome chance to make up for the oversight.
