Ernest Ansermet - Ravel: Ma Mere L'Oye/ Debussy: Nocturnes

Ravel's ballet music Ma mere L'Oye originates from a four-handed piano version. The world renown Orchestre de la Suisse Romande conducted by the one conductor suited for this kind of music, Ernest Ansermet, distinctly brings out the frisk and colorful element of the piece. Ravel predominantly limited his music to small forms and this fact is reflected by the short movements of the suites. The composer was inspired to write this composition by a fairy tale from Charles Perault. The orchestra enigmatically resounds the often imminently surprising tender shading of the music, for example in the finale Jardin Feerique. The three nocturnes, which were completed by Debussy in 1899, manifest the aesthetics of the composer who put nature above art. He had music in mind with a certain natural consistence, without wanting to imitate nature itself. Although Nuages (clouds), Fetes (festivals) and Sirines (sirens) are night pieces, they are seen with a scrutinizing view of light and shadow; two analogically transferable optical conditions that influence the music. The performing artists create an unprecedented, transparent and differentiated version of the music.