Larissa Dedova - Ravel: The Complete Solo Piano Works (2017)

Maurice Ravel's complete works for solo piano form a modest body of work that fits neatly on two CDs. These are among Ravel's most beloved compositions, and several of them also exist in orchestral arrangements, so the size of his keyboard output is disproportionate to the immense popularity of the music and its widespread influence. Larissa Dedova's 2017 release on Centaur is a first-rate recording of these polished gems, and her playing is wholly at the service of Ravel's perfectionism and artistry. Perhaps the best known of the selections in both the piano and orchestral versions is the Pavane pour une infante défunte, which Dedova plays with gentle simplicity, and her lucid performances of several other quiet, intimate works, such as the Sonatine and the Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, convey private expressions with eloquence and grace. But the famous showpieces, such as the Alborada del Gracioso from Miroirs, Scarbo from Gaspard de la nuit, and Valses nobles et sentimentales, give Dedova many opportunities to demonstrate her virtuosity and flair for pianistic tone colors, which are quite varied and subtly employed. Centaur's sound is close-up and focused, so Dedova has great presence and every note is cleanly articulated and clearly audible.