Ravel "La Valse" (2) Myung-Whun Chung, Seoul Philharmonic

[fonnekey]

@Louisspercussion: youre rught. Chung is the music director of the france radio orchestra since 2000. And in fact for some parts, he could not find decent performers in Korea so he had to bring some guest-players from his french orchestra. And some are from berlin phill (probably the trumpeter and the violinist)

[LouisSpercussion]

I think Ive seen the timpanist with the radio of France orchestra, anyone correct me?

[bachadmirer]

@LouisSpercussion Right. :) 

[ntnstern]

Overwhelming-only the performance of Jean Martinon is a little bit more impressive-thanks for posting!!!

[peter92305]

I am not a massive fan of waltz-like music be it by Ravel,Strauss or anybody else but the musicianship and enthusiasm of the orchestra make it memorable. Congratulations to all concerned!

[amstorch]

well your not alone in your adversity to the waltz....Ravel was too,It was too sweet for him and so he composed this sardonic piece of waltz music that no one could ever dance to.The man was an absolute genius, frowned upon no doubt in his day, but gratefully now acknowledged as one of the true masters of the last Century.Its hard to imagine how ,without digital mixers and everything else we have today,he could write so many parts that absolutely harmonise into a marvelous whole.

[TheClam88]

@amstorch  you said it perfectly.

[aliandroesgarate]

We can see clearly the concetration and the tension of the musicians! such a dificult piece, and amazing, very well played.

[RSWire]

Did he conduct that entirely from memory? WOW!

[bachadmirer]

@RSWire Maestro Chung always conducts without scores.

[TitoMunozConductor]

Fantastic conductor, fantastic orchestra.

[abydosianchulac2]

@bobwen51 I can hear what you're talking about, but I don't think it's completely due to the reading of the piece; there's something off about the microphone placement and mixing on this recording. A few string players are coming through very clearly, but in the sections with thicker textures it sounds like most of the instruments are playing from behind a woolen curtain. This probably could have been fixed by mics farther back in the house to catch the sound after it had a chance to mix some.

[stewbee007]

MAGNIFICENT!!! Possibly the best interpretation I've ever heard!

[flashdancer93]

I believe me to the cello player have a very good feeling, she's excellent, like all the orchestra.

[mrsticks28]

This piece just sings with power and majesty. Brings to mind a description of how Diaghilev would have staged a ballet to go with the music; couples swirling through fog, the fog dissipates, and the dancers are there in all their splendor... magnificent!

[darnmat]

The first thing I noticed immediately was the conductor's incredibly relaxed state. :-) Bravo to the performance too.

[Yngverik]

I wished I´d been there! Every performance I´ve  heard yet is crap compared to this.

Orchestras and maestros over the world, listen to this! And rehearse! HEHE ;-)

[luistr3x]

the orchestra is wonderful but i think i felt in love haha, greetings!

[luistr3x]

cello player, i believe i just fell in love with your playing and the way you comunicate with the others!

[lenechka836]

@luistr3x

Yes,she is wonderful. The orchestra is great too!

[potassiumchlorate]

Outstanding performance! Bravo!