Ravel: Boléro, Ma Mère L'Oye, Rapsodie Espagnole, Une Barque sur L'Océan, Alborada del Gracioso
The Berlin Philharmonic never has had much opportunity to play Ravel, which is a pity  because under Pierre Boulez they do it extremely well. Under their current music director, Claudio  Abbado, the orchestra more often than not sounds positively comatose. How gratifying then, that  with a dynamic conductor and music that's fun to play, they rouse themselves to sound like the  world-class ensemble they really can be when they're not resting on their laurels.Bolérois  really smashing, with a knockout final cadence, and the solo players in all of these works cover  themselves with glory. This is a great Ravel disc.--David Hurwitz