Valerie Tryon plays Ravel's Jeux d'eau

British-Canadian pianist Valerie Tryon in a performance of Ravel's Jeux d'eau, from her cycle of the complete Ravel piano music issued on the APR label.

After her studies in her native UK, Tryon trained in Paris with Jacques Février, who had worked with Ravel personally, so she received great insight regarding the interpretation of Ravel works (as well as those of other French composers) from the esteemed pianist and teacher. Tryon stated that Février "had definite ideas as to how this repertoire should be interpreted. He was quite strict on matters of tempo and mood... Everything had to have the precision of a watchmaker. Février knew Ravel personally, of course, had played his music to him, and spoke about it with authority." Tryon still uses the scores with Février's markings.

She recorded a lot of Ravel for the BBC and gave all-Ravel recitals internationally, in addition to regularly programming his works in her solo concerts and playing his G Major Concerto (which she has also recorded). The solo cycle she recorded for APR was set down in February 1999, September 2000, and May 2001, using a Steinway D.

Tryon's interpretation of Jeux d'eau is wonderfully accomplished, with crystalline tone, exquisite clarity of articulation, steady rhythm with the subtlest of nuances, and refined dynamic gradations - truly a superb performance!