Maurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel was born in Ciboure, south of Biarritz, in the south-west
corner of France, in 1875. When he was still young, his family moved to Paris, although
Ravel was to return to Ciboure later in his life. He started piano lessons at the
age of seven, and was composing short pieces by the age of 12 or 13. His
parents encouraged his music. Maurice studied at the Paris Conservatory when he became old enough. One reason why he wanted to play was by his idol Liszt and his piano playing.
As a distraction from his studies, Ravel was with a group of artists and
musicians that were well known for 'living it up'. The group was called The Apaches. Incredibly, Ravel stayed at the
Conservatory for 14 years! His phenomenal teacher was Fauré. Unfortunately, he never won the Prix de Rome while at the
Conservatory.
Ravel was to come to be known as an 'Impressionist' musician, along with
Claude Debussy. His music was also extremely structured in form. So much so that Stravinsky
cused to call him a "Swiss watchmaker".
One of Ravels early works is the opera Daphnis et Chloé.
It took three years to make it and numerous disputes about the choregraphy and it's
complexity. The opera is now considered to be probably the best masterpiece of Ravel.
Apart from an interlude during the First World War, in which Ravel was a truck
driver, he continued to compose and play music, mostly around Paris. In 1928, he toured
America, receiving a standing ovation in New York. This was a big contrast to his
earlier receptions in Paris that were very marked.
It was also in 1928 that Bolero appeared.
This piece has clear Spanish influence. It is said that the repeating of instruments and
volume at each stage made it the most enduring and popular.
The last piece of music I must mention specifically is Pavane pour
une infante défunte, a piece of piano music written in 1899 and later
orchestrated in 1910. It is the orchestrated version that is more widely played
nowadays. It is only quite a short piece of music, but is beatifully crafted and
lovely to hear.
In the years after 1932, following a car accident leading to poor health, he
was much less productive. An operation to improve his health was a failure and
he died in 1937.
corner of France, in 1875. When he was still young, his family moved to Paris, although
Ravel was to return to Ciboure later in his life. He started piano lessons at the
age of seven, and was composing short pieces by the age of 12 or 13. His
parents encouraged his music. Maurice studied at the Paris Conservatory when he became old enough. One reason why he wanted to play was by his idol Liszt and his piano playing.
As a distraction from his studies, Ravel was with a group of artists and
musicians that were well known for 'living it up'. The group was called The Apaches. Incredibly, Ravel stayed at the
Conservatory for 14 years! His phenomenal teacher was Fauré. Unfortunately, he never won the Prix de Rome while at the
Conservatory.
Ravel was to come to be known as an 'Impressionist' musician, along with
Claude Debussy. His music was also extremely structured in form. So much so that Stravinsky
cused to call him a "Swiss watchmaker".
One of Ravels early works is the opera Daphnis et Chloé.
It took three years to make it and numerous disputes about the choregraphy and it's
complexity. The opera is now considered to be probably the best masterpiece of Ravel.
Apart from an interlude during the First World War, in which Ravel was a truck
driver, he continued to compose and play music, mostly around Paris. In 1928, he toured
America, receiving a standing ovation in New York. This was a big contrast to his
earlier receptions in Paris that were very marked.
It was also in 1928 that Bolero appeared.
This piece has clear Spanish influence. It is said that the repeating of instruments and
volume at each stage made it the most enduring and popular.
The last piece of music I must mention specifically is Pavane pour
une infante défunte, a piece of piano music written in 1899 and later
orchestrated in 1910. It is the orchestrated version that is more widely played
nowadays. It is only quite a short piece of music, but is beatifully crafted and
lovely to hear.
In the years after 1932, following a car accident leading to poor health, he
was much less productive. An operation to improve his health was a failure and
he died in 1937.
Maurice Ravel - recommended listening
- Boléro
- Daphne et Chloé
- Pavane pour une infante défunte *My Favorite
piece from Ravel
- Boléro
- Daphne et Chloé
- Pavane pour une infante défunte *My Favorite
piece from Ravel