Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works & Concertos

Deutsche Grammophon is pleased to announce the forthcoming release of a deluxe edition of Seong Jin Cho’s new recordings of Ravel’s complete solo piano works and two piano concertos. The pianist marks the composer’s birth exactly 150 years ago today with the release of his sparkling reading of Jeux d’eau for streaming/download, together with a performance video. The piece features on his album of the complete solo works (“Jeux d’eau trickles brightly through Cho’s fingers like water itself” – The Times), issued by DG in January. Last month saw the release of a companion album, featuring Cho’s recordings of the two piano concertos with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Andris Nelsons.

Due for release on 2 May 2025, the deluxe version brings together both albums and will be available digitally and as a limited-edition 3-CD set. The latter includes a hardcover book with full tracklistings and notes on the music; high-quality art prints of previously unreleased photos; and the offer of three months’ free access to STAGE+, where fans will find Seong-Jin Cho’s now legendary Carnegie Hall Ravel recital, among other filmed performances and audio albums. Copies of the physical product purchased directly from the DG Shop also include a signed photo of the artist.

Cho’s Ravel interpretations have already garnered rave reviews. German broadcaster NDR named the first release its “breathtaking” album of the week. It hailed the way Cho “clarifies the different, often overlapping layers of Ravel’s soundworld with an infinite palette of colours and nuances of touch”, before concluding: “Above all, there is nothing showy about Cho … for him, it’s all about the music.” The Financial Times, meanwhile, summed up Cho’s achievements by saying, “Ravel playing of such perfection of detail does not come round often”.

Tracklisting:

CD1 The Complete Solo Piano Works:

Sérénade grotesque, M. 5

Menuet antique, M. 7

Pavane pour une infante défunte, M. 19

Jeux d'eau, M. 30

Sonatine, M. 40:

I. Modéré

II. Mouvement de menuet

III. Animé

Miroirs, M. 43:

I. Noctuelles.Très léger

II. Oiseux tristes. Très lent

III. Une barque sur l'océan. D'un rythme souple

IV. Alborada del gracioso. Assez vif

V. La vallée des cloches. Très lent

CD2 The Complete Solo Piano Works:

Gaspard de la nuit, M. 55:

I. Ondine. Lent

II. Le Gibet. Très lent

III. Scarbo. Modéré

Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, M. 58

Valses nobles et sentimentales, M. 61:

I. Modéré, très franc

II. Assez lent, avec une expression intense

III. Modéré

IV. Assez animé

V. Presque lent, dans un sentiment intime

VI. Vif

VII. Moins vif

VIII. Épilogue. Lent

Prélude, M. 65

À la manière de Borodine, M. 63/1

À la manière de Chabrier, M. 63/2

Le tombeau de Couperin, M. 68:

I. Prélude. Vif

II. Fugue. Allegro moderato

III. Forlane. Allegretto

IV. Rigaudon. Assez vif

V. Menuet. Allegro moderato

VI. Toccata. Vif

CD3 The Piano Concertos:

Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, M. 82:

I. Lento

II. Allegro

Piano Concerto in G Major, M. 83:

I. Allegramente

II. Adagio assai III. Presto

with the Boston Symphony Orchestra & Andris Nelsons