Spain is my second musical homeland' - Ravel

It is not without irony that prior to the 20th century some of the most famous 'Spanish' classical music was written by the French! Romantic-era intellectuals saw Spain as a seductive and magical attraction, with it's Moorish-style palaces and gardens, festivals, bullfights, costumes, castanets, and flamenco dancing and while Bizet's Carmen carries the greatest weight, pride of place actually goes to Camille Saint-Saëns whose 1863 Introduction and Rondo capriccioso for violin and orchestra already bore a Hispanic flavor (Carmen would not be written for another eight years). In Ravel's case, Spain was already in his blood, thanks to the influence of his Basque mother, but it was a marvel to many, including Manuel de Falla, that he should instinctively have achieved such an authentic sense of Spanish style.

The idea for this project was the result of conductor Pierre Bleuse's desire to immerse himself with the musicians of the Odense Symphony Orchestra in the music of Ravel, especially the composer's Spanish-influenced music. The musicians have captured all the colors and details of articulation needed to bring this extraordinary music to life.

French conductor Pierre Bleuse has established himself as one of the most dynamic and versatile musicians of his generation. Since 2021 he has served as Music Director of both the Ensemble intercontemporain in Paris, the Odense Symphony Orchestra and Artistic Director of the Pablo Casals Festival in Prades. Bleuse is particularly admired for his interpretations of the French orchestral repertoire, especially Ravel. As you will hear on his OUR Recordings debut, his performances balance elegance with dramatic intensity, revealing both the brilliance of the orchestration and the expressive depth beneath it's shimmering surface.