Ravel: Sonates and Trio

The disc of 2002 so far (writing in March) has to be this superlatively played, presented and recorded issue of the Ravel Piano Trio, two Violin Sonatas and Sonata for Violin and Cello featuring a young French violinist whose name was until recently known to few, and for good reason. He had never played in Britain, had no recording profile, and his career was firmly rooted in France. But Renaud Capuçon was so complete and perfect a musician--sensitive, refined, technically brilliant, full with character--that it was only a matter of time before his reputation spread to Britain. And this ravishingly beautiful CD, which also introduces two other young musicians of outstanding calibre, can only speed the process. Tempi in the Trio are a touch slow, and you might perhaps ask for more driven motivation in the opening movement Modère. But this is the kind of playing where every move has been thought through with a profound depth of understanding, and the result speaks with a wisdom beyond the performers' years: a mastery that beggars criticism. If it doesn't sweep the international CD awards next time around, sue me. --Michael White

1. Piano Trio: I. Modéré by Renaud Capuçon/Gautier Capuçon/Frank Braley 9:09