Ravel: Ondine - Mark Isaacs, piano

Also available as an audio release on all major digital music platforms. Access track directly by choosing your preferred music service at ffm.to/ravelondine
Recorded & filmed December 13, 2021, at Elder Hall, Adelaide, South Australia
Music Producer & Recording Engineer: Lachlan Bramble
Filming & Editing: Jason Mildwaters
Piano Technician: Ara Vartoukian
Executive Producer: Mark Isaacs
© 2021 Gracemusic Pty Ltd
Mark Isaacs’ 2020 previous classical repertoire album 'Intimacies' (Gracemusic/MGM • Mark Isaacs - INTIMACIES ) received lavish accolades:
"Few would dare reinvent such icons of the Western canon. But for Mark Isaacs, to perform is to reinvent...he not only remakes the wheel, but sends it spinning merrily down the road less travelled...even the most familiar of phrases seem to be at Isaacs’ beck and call, their cautious new identities almost convincing us that Isaacs is the composer, making it up as he goes along....just tender admiration and a striking vision" SYDNEY MORNING HERALD (4½ stars)
“Exquisitely judged by Isaacs....transfigured beauty....a melody which, in Isaacs’ hands soars" LIMELIGHT Magazine
“His debut solo classical release comes with all the warmth that one would expect of his jazz performances” ABC CLASSIC “Feature of the Week”
Now, recorded in Adelaide’s superb Elder Hall, with concurrent multicam video shoot, comes his brand new interpretation of Ravel’s 'Ondine', a masterwork of French Impressionism which sumptuously evokes the manifold levels of emotion brought forth by the mysterious and sensual spirit of the water.

[@theopaopa1]

excelente version, gracias

[@garyalawrence]

Thank you Mark.

[@lorettapalmeiro6121]

Shimmering, dazzling, mesmerising… a stunning interpretation and brilliantly executed Mark ❤️❤️❤️

[@dingoswamphead]

Amazing. I am meant to be learning the Messiah for tomorrow night but am transfixed. 🧙‍♀️🧝‍♀️🧜‍♀️🧚‍♀️🌃⛲🎶❤

[@itzz_lana_l9662]

Absolutely amazing performance

[@debralearyan8844]

Wow! Mark I did not recognize you! "Listen! - Listen! - It is I, it is Ondine...". Listening! Mesmerized! Thank You. DLR

[@alexanderfessenko41]

Masterfully executed, touch of magic, absolutely exquisite, bravissimo.

[@1MissLibs]

Absolutely beautiful Mark. . So wonderful to hear you play after all these years! Magical. Thank you. 💜🙏

[@timbruer7318]

A fantastic performance Mark, you realised the many moods and colours so well, Bravo.

[@LorettaKing1]

Wow Mark--what a beautiful performance--so emotionally driven and technically perfect! Absolutely loved it!!!--and the same goes for Clancy!! ❤❤

[@estherwarkov9657]

An unbearably exciting performance and absolutely transporting!

[@ninaharris5335]

A passionate and persuasive interpretation. Seemingly effortless technique, enviable command of dynamics. Once again you've dug deep and found something new to say with a rendition that truly sparkles!

[@jlmstudios75]

Beautiful 🥂

[@geoffreysaul4073]

Just wonderful! Nuanced and beautiful. I was hypnotised by your hands dancing and contorting around the keys, and so effortlessly producing those overlayed voices.

[@pathsandstreams1600]

Beautiful Mark. I love how careful you are with each new idea and each change in the harmony. I really feel everything unfolding with such an air of mystery, as I wait for each twist and turn, even though I've listened to this piece many times before ...

[@Stereozentrum]

A wonderful performance of one of Ravel's most beautiful piano compositions. The big crescendo from 05:05-05:25 seems to be overwhelmingly difficult, although you played it flawlessly. Keep up the good work, Mark! I've started practicing jazz piano again and will probably post a video sometime in the next few weeks as well. Greetings and merry Christmas from Germany, Dustin

[@MrTrueseventh]

Beautiful, Mark !

[@Wuozlinga]

Ondine gets me every time & your perfomance really lit up the details of this wonderful piece!

[@andreajoybelle]

This just flows & surges & sparkles beautifully, Mark. Thank you xx (Andrea)

[@Highinsight7]

some of it's just spectacular... the opening you sometimes let the accompaniment figure (just a couple of notes in repeated note sections) stand out as melody... but... the BIG picture is there and alive... we were DEFINITELY transported to the water world of a crazy, seductive water nymph... alas.. "I'm in love with a human..."

[@Highinsight7]

and ... that piano is just spectacular!!!!!! and your recording engineer is AMAZING!!!! and the piano... so in tunes... and your playing is sooo clean and relaxed!!!

[@nicholasroutley1524]

Fabulous, Mark! The fairy tale surging effortlessly. And such a sense of line!

[@markusgoebel1753]

Beautiful. Love it.

[@deborahdicembre9579]

Beautiful Mark . As relaxing as it is invigorating. Sparkling ✨

[@adsdanmatgab]

This is stunning, Mark. So great to hear you play again.

[@Wuozlinga]

Only now do I recognize your unique voicing here: 5:20 Even though this second melody isn’t hinted towards in any of the sheet music I have seen so far, it feels as if it was intentionally implemented by Ravel himself. Very nice idea to voice it that way!

[@markisaacsvideo]

Thank you very much for noticing this discovered inner counter-melody at the climax. Sometimes composers mark these countermelodies in, but I do think they are discoverable, especially often in what appears to be running passage-work as it is here, and worthwhile bringing out if effective. Just like a painting may show up different textures and lines or markings if lit in a certain way. Thank you for listening with that degree of penetration.

[@cesaramor]

❤️👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@Casher4all1]

rubato and slow tempo don't really work here. Taking time before the downbeat for 80% of the bars is not great.