Ravel: Sonatine - I. Modéré (Cho, Chamayou, Lortie)

The second pre-release from Seong-Jin Cho's upcoming Ravel album, the opening movement from the M. 40 Sonatine. His first pre-release, the Tombeau, was impressive, but this rendition of the Sonatine is superlative. If I had to use one word to describe what sets apart his recording from the rest I listened to, it would be *atmospheric*. The signature warmth and suppleness is still there, but there's also something new (or at least something I'm just now noticing) which is Cho's ability to let phrases linger and sit with the listener long after they've finished—a trait I typically ascribe to Zimerman's playing. For kicks, I included two more recordings: the Chamayou recording has long been my go-to (until now, perhaps). It can at times come across as a bit of a caricature; overly impressionistic. But that's only because it's such a solid and well-rounded interpretation, it's difficult to listen to it and not think benchmark. The Lortie recording is incredible. As big a fan of his as I am, I'd never actually heard this before — his ultra-long phrasing, his combination of textural and melodic playing, he really is a magician. 0:00 - Seong-Jin Cho 4:39 - Bertrand Chamayou 8:43 - Louis Lortie