Camille Saint-Saëns and Maurice Ravel, both French composers, provided positive accounts of their tours to the US, despite Saint-Saëns complaining about the treatment of animals in American zoos.
Recording & Production
This recording was made in August 2015 at Studio 1, Czech Radio, Prague, with Chris Alder as producer and editor.
Performer Biography
Pianist Andrew von Oeyen, who performs on this album, has lived in Paris since 2002 while maintaining ties to the United States, allowing him to live between two continents.
Cultural Impact
Maurice Ravel, a French composer, was greatly influenced by American jazz, stating in 1928, 'I like jazz far more than grand opera.'
Composer Biography
George Gershwin, an American composer, and Maurice Ravel, a French composer, met in Paris and later spent time together in New York and Los Angeles, influencing each other's music.
Album & Artwork
This debut album for Warner Classics by pianist Andrew von Oeyen features a Franco-American theme, exploring the interplay between French and American cultures in the early 20th century.
Composer's Artistic Vision
The unifying thread of this album's program is Maurice Ravel, a French composer, who knew both Camille Saint-Saëns, another French composer, and George Gershwin, an American composer.
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Gabriela Montero: Piano Concerto No. 1 "Latin" - Ravel: Piano Concerto in G Major, M. 83 (Live)
