Maurice Ravel's predilection for fantasy worlds and exotic ambience can be heard in many of his orchestral works. Even as a student he composed the...

Maurice Ravel's predilection for fantasy worlds and exotic ambience can be heard in many of his orchestral works. Even as a student he composed the Ouverture de Sheherezade and had planned to write an opera based on the fairytales of teh Arabian Nights. in the end, all that remains are three poems for voice and orchestra. Stéphanie d'Oustrac sings these songs rapturously and with exactly the right feel for oriental opulence.