Details: Being someone who is rather awful at dancing, the only way I can explore the medium of dance is through music making! This programme idea came about from two contrasting elements: my love of Rameau's Gavotte & Doubles and Ravel's La Valse.... Seeing as dance is often collaborative I am thrilled to have been joined by the wonderful pianist Alexandre Tharaud in some eclectic, lesser known works by Reynaldo Hahn. I am thrilled to release this project!" -Martin James Bartlett Ravel leads the dance with three works in Martin James Bartlett's enticing programme of French piano music. The perspective of La Danse extends back from the 20th century to the 18th century, also encompassing works by Rameau, Couperin, Debussy and - with the participation of guest artist Alexandre Tharaud - Reynaldo Hahn. "This programme idea came about from two contrasting elements," explains Martin James Bartlett, "my love of Rameau's Gavotte et six doubles and Ravel's La Valse. Both these French masterpieces, from different ends of the musical timeline, led to this programme of music inspired by the dance." Welcoming Martin James Bartlett's previous Warner Classics album, Rhapsody, Gramophone wrote: "This showcases an outstanding keyboard talent at the top of his game," while the Sunday Times enthused that, "Throughout, Bartlett's touch is alternately carefree and rigorous. A delight.

Elisabeth Leonskaja - Schumann & Grieg: Piano Concertos (CD)