Quiz Number 5
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Here is today's oasis of calm - the Pavane pour une infante défunte by Ravel. There is no fancy video with this one so you can just close your eyes and enjoy the soundscape.
As I said last night in my quiz teaser it is one of the most perilous opening minutes for the horn player in any of the repertoire - it is quiet; it is high in the range; and coming right at the very beginning of the piece it is very exposed.
Coincidentally, it is the same principal horn on this recording as on last night's of the Karelia Suite - between 1984 (when the Karelia recording was made) and 1986 when this one was made Hugh had left the SNO and become principal at the LSO - and he plays this beautifully.
