An iconic record, this collection of two well-known (Debussy, Ravel) and two rarities (Roussel, Ropartz) of the chamber music repertoire was issued in both its LP and CD incarnations to great acclaim. It was recorded in the unusually spacious acoustic of Walthamstow Assembly Hall and its late producer, Ray Minshull, provides an amusing recollection of the genesis of this now legendary recording.
MAURICE RAVEL
Introduction et Allegro for flute, harp, clarinet & string quartet
CLAUDE DEBUSSY
Sonata for flute, viola & harp
ALBERT ROUSSEL
Sérénade for flute, violin, viola, cello & harp, Op. 30
JOSEPH GUY ROPARTZ
Prélude, marine et chansons for flute, violin, viola, cello & harp
Osian Ellis, harp
Melos Ensemble of London
Recording producer: Ray Minshull
Recording engineer: Kenneth Wilkinson
Recording location: Walthamstow Assembly Hall, London, UK, October 1961
Remastering: Audio Archiving Company, London, UK
‘The Melos Ensemble is extremely sensitive to the nuances and rubatos of the music, produces some lovely tone, and succeeds in making the work hold together…’ Gramophone
‘A desert island disc if ever there was one! The ethereal Debussy sonata and the equally heavenly Ravel Introduction and Allegro receive immaculate performances that have not been surpassed since the present record appeared in the early 1960s…Inspired playing and beautifully balanced recorded sound’ Penguin Guide