The seeds were planted in the early 1970s when Deutsche Grammophon realised what amazing results could be achieved by recording the multi-channel tapes, with either four or eight channels. Yet, due to a few restrictions, they never fully blossomed. Flaws in the playback equipment meant that music connoisseurs were prevented from enjoying these recordings in the way that artists, producers, engineers and other professionals intended, even though recording technology was already way ahead of its time.

Now – over a quarter of a century later – thanks to the arrival of the multi-channel super audio CD, there is finally a system available which permits these precious recordings to be released in the quality they deserved back then.

As a result of Pentatone’s labour of love re-recording and remastering this release, we get to witness and experience all of the images from different moods and places that Ravel intended to arouse with his impressionistic pieces.

As Ravel is famous for his melodies, exquisite orchestration and imaginative instrumental textures, Pentatone is equally known for its superior audio quality, and this handsome collection of orchestral works on SACD is surely one not to be missed.