Hi Zaikesman,
The recordings made by Vox with Skrowaczewski conducting the Minnesota Orchestra in 1974 are some of my favorite recordings of Ravel's orchestral music. Vox engaged the marvelous Nickrenz/Aubort recording team and Marc Aubort's capture of the orchestra is marvelous. And the performances verge on legendary.
The complete box set is on VOX QSVBX 5133.
This series was partially reissued by Reference Recordings in their regrettably short-lived "Reference Mastercuts" reissue series. The results of the much better mastering and pressing allows the wonderful sonics on the master tape to shine. If you ever come across Reference Recordings RM 1001 and RM 1004, grab them at virtually any price. (Other reissues in this Reference Mastercuts series feature music of Copland and Gershwin performed by Leonard Slatkin and the St. Louis Orchestra, also recorded by Marc Aubort, and are equally scrumptious.)
Analogue Productions made yet another reissue of some of these recordings on APC 007. Both this AP reissue and the earlier Reference Mastercuts reissues were mastered by Sax and pressed at RTI. The earlier Reference Mastercuts sound better for some reason. (The LPs have different music on them, so they are not cut from the same metal work.)
Paray's and Ansermet's recordings are also excellent on Mercury and Decca respectively.
If you enjoy piano, I suggest very highly the Reference Recordings LP of Ravel's piano music performed by Minoru Nojima, "Nojima play Ravel," RR 35. Sublime playing and an exceptional recording.
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