Overview
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was a major French composer of the late 19th and early 20th centuries , often associated with musical impressionism, although his style evolved towards elements of neoclassicism and even jazz. Known for his mastery of orchestration and his keen sense of precision, Ravel left an indelible mark on classical music.
Here is an overview of his life and work:
Childhood and education
Born in Ciboure, France, to a Swiss father and a Basque mother , Ravel showed early talent for music. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of 14, where he studied with Gabriel Fauré, among others . Despite his genius, he struggled to conform to the Conservatoire’s rigid expectations, often criticizing him for his originality and “laziness” in producing a large number of works quickly. However, he developed a meticulous approach to composition, perfecting every detail .
Musical style
Ravel’s style is characterized by:
A brilliant and colorful orchestration: He was a master at combining instrumental timbres to create rich and varied textures .
Formal precision and clarity: Despite often complex harmonies, his music retains a logical structure and classical elegance .
Diverse influences: His works contain reminiscences of Spanish music (a legacy of his Basque mother ) , elements of Baroque music and neoclassicism, and, later, touches of jazz, which he discovered during a tour of the United States.
A certain sensuality and expressiveness, although he himself sometimes described his detachment as ” insensitivity ” , preferring rigor and work to effusion.
Iconic works
Ravel composed a varied and world – renowned repertoire. Among his most famous works are :
Bolero (1928): Arguably his most iconic piece , a ballet that has become an orchestral masterpiece, famous for its hypnotic rhythmic progression and constant crescendo.
Daphnis and Chloe (1912): A ballet of great orchestral richness and lush beauty, often performed as a concert suite.
Pavane for a Dead Princess (1899): A gentle and melancholic piano work, which he later orchestrated .
Jeux d’eau (1901): A virtuoso piano piece, a pioneer of ” impressionist” piano writing.
La Valse (1920): An orchestral work that evokes the opulence and decadence of a Viennese waltz, with a dark touch.
Concerto in G major (1931) and Concerto for the Left Hand (1930): Two piano concertos that demonstrate his virtuosity in instrumental writing and his exploration of jazz sounds.
Legacy
Maurice Ravel is considered one of the most important and popular French composers. His influence extends beyond classical music , even touching jazz and film scores. He was a perfectionist craftsman, whose music continues to be admired for its beauty, complexity, and originality. His life, although discreet on a personal level (he remained single and very attached to his mother ), was entirely dedicated to music, as he himself said : “The only love affair I have ever had is with music.”
History
Maurice Ravel was born in 1875 in Ciboure, a small Basque village, to a Swiss engineer father and eccentric inventor, and a Basque mother of Spanish origin. This dual ancestry, at the crossroads of cultures, would undoubtedly influence the future composer’s sensibilities. The family quickly moved to Paris, where young Maurice, from an early age , showed obvious musical talent. He was only seven years old when he began playing the piano, and at fourteen, he entered the prestigious Paris Conservatoire.
There , Ravel was a brilliant but atypical student . He was less concerned with conforming to the rigid rules of the institution than with exploring his own paths. His teachers, including the great Gabriel Fauré, recognized his talent but sometimes worried about his independence of mind. Ravel was a born perfectionist , obsessed with precision and detail. He spent hours chiseling each musical phrase, polishing each sonority, a requirement that would earn him the nickname “Swiss watchmaker” by some. This quest for perfection was far from the romantic ardor of some of his contemporaries; Ravel favored clarity , balance and formal rigor.
At the turn of the century , Ravel began to make a name for himself. His early piano works, such as Jeux d’eau, reveal an innovative style, imbued with a delicate sensuality and harmonic richness that brought him closer to Impressionism, although he always rejected this label. He explored the possibilities of timbre, seeking to evoke images and sensations rather than narratives. This was the beginning of a period of intense creativity. He was distinguished by his genius for orchestration, an absolute mastery of instrumental colors that allowed him to transform a simple melody into a symphony of textures and nuances.
The First World War was a difficult time for Ravel. Although he tried to enlist, his weak constitution prevented him , and he resigned himself to serving as an ambulance driver. The loss of many friends, including the composer Déodat de Séverac, affected him deeply and marked a pause in his production.
After the war, Ravel found new creative energy, but his style evolved. He moved away from Impressionism towards a certain neoclassicism, seeking clarity of form and purity of line. It was during this period that he composed major works such as La Valse, a grandiose and swirling vision of a Viennese waltz that seems to collapse in on itself , and the famous Boléro. The latter, commissioned by Ida Rubinstein, a dancer and patron of the arts , is a fascinating work with its hypnotic progression and relentless crescendo, becoming one of the most recognizable pieces in classical music. Ravel himself , with his dry humor, described it as “a fourteen-minute orchestral work without music.”
During the 1920s, Ravel traveled, particularly to the United States, where he was welcomed as a true star . There he discovered jazz, whose rhythm and energy he appreciated, and which would influence some of his later works , such as his piano concertos, in which he incorporated elements of blues and syncopation.
The last years of his life were overshadowed by a degenerative neurological disease that prevented him from composing . His cognitive abilities gradually declined, depriving him of his ability to write music, which was an unbearable torture for him. Despite brain surgery in 1937, his condition did not improve, and he died that same year , leaving behind a relatively small but exceptionally high-quality catalogue of works.
Ravel’s life was that of a discreet, even secretive man, entirely devoted to his art. He never married, never had children, and his deepest passion was music itself . His legacy is that of a master of orchestration, a refined melodist , and a tireless explorer of sonorities, whose work continues to fascinate with its timeless beauty and formal perfection.
Timeline
1875
March 7: Birth of Joseph Maurice Ravel in Ciboure, in the Pyrénées – Atlantiques. His father , Joseph Ravel, is a Swiss engineer and his mother , Marie Delouart, is of Basque origin.
1876
The Ravel family settles in Paris.
1882
Maurice Ravel begins his piano lessons .
1889
He entered the Paris Conservatoire, where he studied piano, harmony and counterpoint.
1897
He entered Gabriel Fauré’s composition class at the Conservatoire.
1899
Composition of the famous Pavane for a Dead Infanta for piano (orchestrated later in 1910).
1901
Composition of Jeux d’eau for piano, an innovative work which marks a turning point in piano writing.
Ravel attempted the Prix de Rome for the first time but failed.
1902-1905
He attempted the Prix de Rome several times, without success . The “Ravel scandal” erupted in 1905 when his elimination caused an outcry and the resignation of the director of the Conservatoire.
1905
Composition of the piano suite Miroirs, including “Sad Birds” and “A Boat on the Ocean “.
1908
Composition of the piano suite Gaspard de la Nuit, considered one of the most difficult pieces in the piano repertoire .
1909
Creation of the comic opera L’Heure espagnole.
1912
Premiere of the ballet Daphnis and Chloe by Serge Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes, with choreography by Michel Fokine. This work is one of his greatest orchestral achievements.
1914-1918
World War I. Ravel tried to enlist but was rejected due to his frail constitution . He eventually served as an ambulance driver at the front, an experience that left a deep impression on him .
1919
a piano suite (later orchestrated ) dedicated to friends who fell during the war .
1920
Composition of La Valse, a choreographic poem for orchestra , which evokes imperial Vienna in an atmosphere of pomp and decadence .
1922
He arranged and orchestrated Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, a version that is now more famous than the piano original.
1928
Triumphant trip to the United States, where he notably met George Gershwin.
Composition of Boléro, commissioned by the dancer Ida Rubinstein. This work, characterized by a single repeated melody and a constant crescendo, quickly became one of his most famous and recognizable works .
1930-1931
Composed two piano concertos: the Concerto in G major (bright and sparkling) and the Concerto for the Left Hand in D major (dark and powerful, commissioned by pianist Paul Wittgenstein who had lost an arm during the war). These works demonstrate his assimilation of jazz influences.
1932
A taxi accident in Paris marked the beginning of neurological problems that would gradually affect his cognitive faculties and his ability to compose .
1937
28 : Maurice Ravel dies in Paris following surgery to relieve his neurological problems. He is buried in the Levallois-Perret cemetery .
Characteristics of Music
Mastery of orchestration and timbre: Ravel is universally recognized as an unparalleled master of orchestration . He possessed an incredible sense of instrumental color, combining timbres with surgical precision to create rich, shimmering, and often innovative sounds. Each instrument is used to its full potential, exploiting its registers and particularities. His orchestrations are clear, balanced, and remarkably transparent, even in the densest passages (one thinks of course of Boléro, but also of Daphnis et Chloé or his orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition).
Precision , Clarity, and Formal Perfectionism: Unlike some of his more “romantic” contemporaries, Ravel was an absolute perfectionist. Every note, every phrase, every nuance was meticulously crafted. His music is of great formal clarity, even when using complex harmonies. He favored elegance and rigor of construction, inherited in part from the Classical tradition, and sought a technical perfection that he considered the ultimate goal of the artist. This “scruple not to do just anything” is a famous quote from Ravel himself .
Harmonic Refinement and Modality: Although associated with Impressionism, Ravel never completely abandoned tonality . However, he enriched the harmonic language by using unconventional chords, subtle dissonances, and ancient or exotic modes. His harmonies are often complex and refined, contributing to an evocative and dreamlike atmosphere without sacrificing melodic clarity . He was particularly fond of parallel chord progressions and unresolved dissonances, which give his music a distinctive sound.
Multiple influences and eclecticism:
Impressionism: Although he refused the label, Ravel shared with Debussy a taste for sound colors, ethereal atmospheres and the evocation of landscapes or sensations (Jeux d’eau, Miroirs) .
Spanish Music: His mother’s Basque heritage has profoundly influenced his work. Spanish-inspired rhythms and melodies can be found in many pieces such as the Habanera, L’Heure espagnole, and of course the Boléro .
Neoclassicism : In the second part of his career , Ravel turned towards a clarity and formal rigor reminiscent of classical and baroque aesthetics (Le Tombeau de Couperin, Concerto in G major). He admired the simplicity and balance of ancient forms.
Jazz: Fascinated by jazz during his travels in the United States, he incorporated rhythmic and harmonic elements of this genre into his late works, notably his two piano concertos and his Violin Sonata.
Importance of Melody and Dance: Ravel placed great importance on melody . His themes are often characterized by their elegance and their ability to captivate the listener. Dance, whether stylized or directly choreographed, occupies a central place in his work. From the Pavane to the Boléro, including The Waltz and Daphnis and Chloe, movement and rhythm are essential drivers of his creativity .
Sensitivity and restrained expressiveness: Despite his reputation as a “cold” or “intellectual” composer, Ravel’s music is imbued with a deep sensitivity and often veiled expressiveness . Emotion is not expressed explosively but reveals itself through delicate textures , subtle harmonies, and a discreet melancholy , leaving the listener to interpret its nuances. There is often a contrast between formal rigor and an underlying tenderness.
In short, Ravel’s music is a unique blend of technical virtuosity, aesthetic refinement and profound musicality , where each element is crafted with masterful precision to create works of timeless beauty.
Impacts & Influences
Maurice Ravel, through his creative genius and artistic rigor, left an indelible mark on the history of music, influencing many composers and profoundly marking the 20th century . His impacts and influences can be observed from several angles:
1. The impact on orchestration and symphonic sound:
This is perhaps Ravel ‘s most obvious and powerful legacy. His unparalleled mastery of orchestration redefined the sonic possibilities of the orchestra. He demonstrated how to combine instruments in innovative ways , using timbres with revolutionary precision and clarity . His orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition has become a standard , often performed more frequently than the original piano setting. Many composers after him have studied his scores to learn the art of instrumentation, and his influence can be felt in film music, where rich orchestral colors are paramount. He elevated orchestration to an art form in its own right .
2. Influence on 20th century composers :
Ravel influenced a generation of composers who admired his formal rigor and sense of innovation.
French composers : Of course, he was a key figure for many of his compatriots, inspiring clarity and elegance in French writing . Even though he sometimes had complex relationships with some members of the group Les Six, his quest for perfection and his harmonic refinement left their mark.
The Integration of Jazz: Ravel was one of the first “classical” composers to truly embrace and integrate the elements of jazz (syncopated rhythms, blue harmonies) into his music. His Piano Concertos and Violin Sonata are testament to this. This openness paved the way for other composers (such as Darius Milhaud) to explore this fusion, and even had a reciprocal impact on some jazz musicians who found inspiration in his harmonies and melodies .
Neoclassicism: His shift to a more refined and formal style after the First World War, which is referred to as neoclassicism, contributed to this major trend of the early 20th century , favoring a return to classical forms with a modern harmonic language.
3. The revival of dance music:
The importance of dance in Ravel’s work is considerable. His ballets, particularly Daphnis et Chloé and Boléro, demonstrated music’s ability to create rich and evocative sound worlds for movement. He breathed new life into stylized dance forms (pavans, waltzes), elevating them to the rank of concert masterpieces.
4. The quest for perfection and musical craftsmanship:
Ravel’s perfectionism left a legacy of rigor and high standards. He demonstrated that a composer can craft his works with the precision of a craftsman, rejecting the easy option and seeking the most accurate expression. This approach inspired those who sought to master their art with exemplary discipline. Igor Stravinsky even nicknamed him the “Swiss watchmaker,” referring to the intricacy and precision of his works.
5. The expansion of the piano repertoire:
His piano works, such as Jeux d’eau, Miroirs, and Gaspard de la nuit, pushed the technical and expressive limits of the instrument, creating new textures and sonorities. They are pillars of the piano repertoire and have influenced the piano writing of generations of composers.
6. The influence on film music and the collective imagination:
Ravel’s ability to create powerful moods and vivid sound images naturally found an echo in cinema. His orchestration techniques and sense of latent drama have been sources of inspiration for film composers, and excerpts from his works are often used for their evocative power (Boléro is the most striking example).
In short, Maurice Ravel was not only a great composer, but also an innovator and meticulous craftsman who enriched the musical language of his time. His impact lies in his ability to fuse tradition and modernity , to master orchestration like no other, and to instill an artistic precision that continues to fascinate and inspire musicians and listeners around the world.
Style of music
Although Maurice Ravel is often associated with musical impressionism, his style is actually more nuanced and evolving, incorporating diverse influences and characterized by great originality. It can be defined by several distinctive features:
Impressionism (and beyond ) :
Sound color and atmosphere : Like Debussy, Ravel was fascinated by music’s ability to evoke colors, lights , moods, and landscapes. His pieces such as Jeux d’eau and Miroirs (notably “Oiseaux tristes” and “Une barque sur l’océan”) are perfect examples of this search for a shimmering and evanescent sound , where the harmonies are often suggestive rather than strictly functional.
Use of exotic modes and scales: He often used ancient modes, pentatonic scales, or sounds inspired by the Far East or Spain, which gives his music an ethereal and sometimes mysterious quality , far from traditional harmonic conventions.
Refusal of the label: It is important to note that Ravel himself refused the label of Impressionist, preferring to see himself as a precise and rigorous craftsman, concerned with formal clarity .
Precision and Formal Clarity:
Rigor and structure: This is a key point that distinguishes him from Debussy. Ravel is a “watchmaker,” a composer of extreme meticulousness . His works, even the most harmonically complex, are always of great structural clarity. Each note, each phrase is chiseled with meticulous precision. There is no room for improvisation or vagueness.
elegance : He inherits a sense of balance and proportion from French classical composers such as Couperin and Rameau. This elegance is reflected in the finesse of his melodic lines and the logic of his constructions .
Mastery of Orchestration:
Virtuosity : Ravel is undoubtedly one of the greatest orchestrators in the history of music. He had an intimate knowledge of the possibilities of each instrument and knew how to combine them to create sonic textures of unparalleled richness and transparency .
Colors and Textures: He used the orchestra like a painter’s palette, creating effects of light and shadow, striking contrasts, and subtle fades. His orchestration of Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition is a masterpiece of this skill.
Influences and Eclecticism:
Spanish Music: Deeply rooted in his maternal heritage, the Spanish influence is omnipresent in his work, from pieces like La Habanera or Alborada del gracioso to the famous Boléro , imbued with Iberian rhythms, melodies and atmospheres .
Neoclassicism : After the First World War, Ravel turned to a purer style , with a return to the clarity of 17th and 18th century forms . Le Tombeau de Couperin is a perfect example, where Baroque forms are revisited with a modern harmonic language.
Jazz: His travels in the United States exposed him to jazz, whose syncopations, rhythms and certain harmonic inflections (notably the “blue notes”) he integrated into works such as his Piano Concertos and his Violin Sonata.
Sensitivity and contained expressiveness:
Although he has a reputation as an “objective” or “detached ” composer , Ravel’s music is shot through with a deep sensitivity, often veiled by his formal demands. There is a certain melancholy, a tenderness or a discreet nostalgia that emerges from many of his works (Pavane pour une infante dé funte, “Le Jardin f éerique” from Ma Mère l’Oye). Emotion is suggested rather than expressed effusively.
In summary , Maurice Ravel’s style is a unique synthesis of harmonic and melodic refinement, brilliant and precise orchestration, great formal rigor inherited from classicism, and an openness to diverse influences (Spanish, jazz). He is the craftsman of music of timeless beauty , where clarity of expression competes with richness of color and subtlety of emotion.
Relationship between Ravel and Debussy
The relationship between Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy is both complex and fascinating, marked by initial mutual admiration, a certain rivalry exacerbated by their supporters, and ultimately a growing estrangement. Although they are often grouped together under the label of Impressionists, their personalities and musical approaches differed greatly.
An initial admiration and a fluctuating friendship:
Early in their careers , Ravel, 13 years Debussy’s junior, deeply admired his elder . He saw him as a pioneer and a genius who was breaking new ground in French music . Ravel was even part of the “Apaches” group, a circle of artists and intellectuals who enthusiastically supported Debussy’s innovative music, particularly his opera Pelléas et Mélisande. Ravel reportedly attended every performance of this opera in 1902. Their friendship, though never extremely close , lasted more than a decade.
Points of contention and rivalry :
However, several factors gradually poisoned their relationship:
The Prix de Rome “Ravel Scandal” (1905): Ravel’s repeated failure to win the prestigious Prix de Rome, including his elimination in 1905 despite already being a well – known composer, caused a public outrage. Critics and supporters of Ravel pointed the finger at the conservative establishment at the Conservatoire and often compared Ravel to Debussy, claiming that the system prevented the emergence of new talent ” in the manner of Debussy.” Although Debussy was not directly involved in the jury, this affair created some tension.
Jealousy and suspicions of plagiarism: Admirers on both sides began to form factions, creating an artificial rivalry. Arguments broke out over the chronology of their works and who had influenced whom. Some critics accused Ravel of copying Debussy’s style, especially with regard to piano writing or the use of modes. Ravel defended himself by emphasizing his own innovations and formal rigor. This constant comparison annoyed them both.
The “Three Poems of Stéphane Mallarmé ” (1913): A notable incident was the simultaneous composition by the two men of cycles of melodies based on the same poems by Stéphane Mallarmé . Ravel had begun work on “Soupir”, “Placet futile” and “Surgi de la croup et du bond”, and Debussy announced shortly after that he was also composing on these same texts . This was perceived as a provocation or direct competition.
Differences and Support for Debussy’s Ex-Wife: Their personalities were very different . Debussy was more extroverted and his personal relationships were often tumultuous. Ravel, on the other hand , was notoriously quiet and reserved . A telling detail of their personal tension is the fact that when Debussy left his first wife , Lilly Texier, to live with Emma Bardac in 1904, Ravel, along with mutual friends, contributed financially to support Lilly. This gesture, motivated by compassion for Lilly, might have been perceived by Debussy as interference or judgment.
Distance and admiration maintained despite everything:
Over time, relations between Ravel and Debussy became strained. They no longer interacted in the same way , and direct comments between them became rare and sometimes acerbic (Debussy is said to have criticized Ravel’s orchestral writing as too mechanical, while Ravel sometimes found Debussy’s style “vague”).
However, despite this rivalry and estrangement, a mutual professional admiration endured. Ravel always recognized Debussy’s genius. He even called him ” the most phenomenal genius in the history of French music .” After Debussy ‘s death in 1918, Ravel paid tribute to him, and one can see in his Concerto for the Left Hand (1930), or even in the increased rigor of his late style, a form of posthumous dialogue with the work of his elder , where Ravel pushes certain investigations into timbre and structure further.
In short, their relationship was a complex mix of inspiration, rivalry, and mutual respect, fueled by the public and critics who sought to pit them against each other. They remained the two tutelary figures of French musical Impressionism , whose differences ultimately enriched and diversified the soundscape of their time.
Relationship between Ravel and Satie
The relationship between Maurice Ravel and Erik Satie is as complex and nuanced as Ravel’s with Debussy. It was marked by mutual admiration, a certain artistic support, but also aesthetic divergences and, sometimes, a touch of irony or rivalry .
Initial admiration and support:
Erik Satie, born in 1866, was nine years Ravel’s senior . By the early 20th century , Satie was already a somewhat marginal but fascinating figure in Parisian musical life, known for his eccentric wit, offbeat humor , and spare compositions that challenged academic conventions.
Ravel, then a young composer at the Conservatoire, was very intrigued and admired Satie’s innovative character. He saw in him a free spirit who dared to break with the romanticism and opulence of the time. Ravel was even one of the first, along with other musicians from the “Apaches” group, to take a serious interest in Satie’s music and to publicly defend it . In particular, he contributed to making known works such as the Gymnopédies and the Sarabandes, considered today emblematic of Satie’s style. Ravel himself orchestrated two of the Gymnopédies (the 1st and 3rd ) and one of the Sarabandes, thus helping to have them performed in larger settings and making them accessible to a wider audience. This orchestration gesture demonstrates his respect for Satie’s musical material.
Aesthetic and critical divergences:
Despite this initial admiration, their musical approaches diverged fundamentally.
Satie sought simplicity , clarity , sometimes absurd humor, and a certain emotional detachment in often very short and repetitive forms . His music was often deliberately “small” and anti-romantic.
Ravel, though concerned with clarity , was a meticulous perfectionist, obsessed with technical virtuosity, brilliant orchestration, and rigorous formal structure. His music is much denser and more elaborate than Satie’s.
These differences have sometimes given rise to scathing comments. Satie’s most famous criticism of Ravel is undoubtedly: “Ravel has just refused the Legion of Honour, but all his music accepts it.” This phrase, both witty and acidic, sums up Satie’s perception well: he saw Ravel as someone who, despite his protestations of independence (Ravel refused the Legion of Honour), produced music that was ultimately too “well-made,” too academically perfect, and therefore, in a certain way , conformist in the eyes of the iconoclastic Satie.
A reciprocal, but asymmetrical, influence:
The most notable influence on the young Ravel was Satie. Pieces such as Ravel’s Pavane pour une infante morte (1899) are often compared to Satie’s Gymnopédies (1888) for their delicacy and apparent melodic simplicity . They feature a certain form of “false” root note and unresolved seventh or ninth chords , stylistic features that Satie had explored long before Ravel.
However, Ravel’s influence on Satie was less direct and less apparent, Satie having already forged his unique and very personal style .
In summary :
The relationship between Ravel and Satie was that of two brilliant and innovative minds on the Parisian music scene. The younger Ravel was initially a fervent defender of Satie and his avant-garde vision, even orchestrating some of his works. However , their divergent personalities and aesthetics led to a distance and exchanges sometimes tinged with irony, with Satie criticizing Ravel for a certain excessive perfectionism. Despite this, they both contributed, each in their own way , to freeing French music from post-Romantic conventions and paving the way for new sounds in the 20th century .
Relationship between Ravel and Koechlin
The relationship between Maurice Ravel and Charles Koechlin, although less famous or conflictual than Ravel’s with Debussy or Satie, was that of respectful colleagues , sometimes friends, sharing an attachment to French music and the craft of composition.
A relationship of mentoring and mutual admiration
Charles Koechlin (1867-1950) was eight years Ravel’s senior . They probably met at the Paris Conservatoire where both studied , although at slightly different times . Koechlin, known for his erudition and his mastery of counterpoint, harmony, and orchestration, was a respected figure in Parisian musical circles.
early on showed great admiration for Ravel and was one of his fervent defenders. He was even one of the first to publicly recognize and praise Ravel ‘s genius. Koechlin is said to have been particularly impressed by Ravel ‘s String Quartet in F major ( completed in 1903) and to have strongly encouraged it .
This admiration was mutual. Ravel, always in search of technical perfection, deeply respected Koechlin for his vast knowledge of music theory and orchestration. Ravel is even said to have sometimes consulted Koechlin on technical matters of orchestration or harmony, recognizing his expertise.
Aesthetic affinities and temperamental differences
Although their personalities differed ( Ravel more reserved and concerned with concise form, Koechlin more prolific, expansive and sometimes more experimental), they shared several aesthetic affinities :
Rejection of Romantic Emphasis: Both sought to move away from the excesses of late 19th-century German and French Romanticism , favoring clarity , sobriety , and a certain finesse.
The quest for instrumental color: Like Ravel, Koechlin was a master of orchestration and the use of timbres. His treatises on orchestration are, moreover , references .
Interest in modality and non -traditional sonorities: They both explored enriched harmonies and modes, expanding the tonal language.
Attachment to French music : They both followed the French musical tradition , characterized by elegance , precision and clarity .
However, there were also differences . Koechlin was perhaps bolder in some of his harmonic and formal experiments, and much more prolific than Ravel, producing a colossal quantity of works, much of which remains undiscovered . Ravel, on the other hand, was a meticulous craftsman who polished each work to the utmost .
discreet but lasting relationship
Their relationship was never punctuated by scandals or grand public statements, as was the case with Debussy. It was more discreet , based on mutual respect for each other’s skills and artistic approaches. Koechlin continued to defend and analyze Ravel’s music throughout his life, always emphasizing the beauty and perfection of his work .
In short, the relationship between Maurice Ravel and Charles Koechlin was one of deep professional esteem, where an elder recognized and supported the talent of a younger brother, and where the latter respected the erudition and expertise of his colleague . A discreet friendship , but rooted in a shared love for the art of composition.
Relationship between Ravel and Fauré
The relationship between Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré was of paramount importance in the life and training of the young Ravel. More than a simple encounter, it was a master – student relationship that developed into a deep mutual esteem and friendship, even though Ravel would eventually develop a style distinct from that of his teacher.
A decisive meeting at the Conservatory
Gabriel Fauré (1845-1924), then a professor of composition and an influential figure in French music , played a decisive role in Ravel’s training. Maurice Ravel entered the Paris Conservatoire in 1889, and in 1897 he joined Fauré ‘s composition class. Fauré was renowned for his open – minded approach to teaching, encouraging his students ‘ originality and personality rather than imposing a rigid style.
This freedom was crucial for Ravel, who, despite his genius, struggled to conform to the conservative expectations of the Conservatoire. Fauré recognized Ravel ‘s exceptional talent, harmonic sensitivity, and innate sense of orchestration, even though the young student was often perceived as “lazy” or “too original” by other teachers.
The “Ravel scandal” and Fauré’s unwavering support
The relationship between Ravel and Fauré was put to the test during Ravel’s famous failures at the Prix de Rome, a prestigious competition of which Fauré was also a laureate. In 1905, Ravel’s elimination in the first round of the competition, despite having already written important works such as Jeux d’eau and the String Quartet , caused a huge scandal. Public opinion and much of the press denounced the injustice and conservatism of the institution.
At the heart of this storm , Gabriel Fauré defended his student with firmness and integrity . Having become director of the Conservatoire that same year , Fauré did not hesitate to defend Ravel and question the selection system . This unconditional support, although it did not directly win Ravel the prize , strengthened their bond and demonstrated Fauré’s esteem for his former student . This episode also led to the resignation of several members of the jury and a partial reform of the evaluation criteria .
A profound influence but an assertive individuality
Fauré’s influence on Ravel is undeniable, notably in:
The clarity and elegance of the writing: Fauré, with his own refined style , transmitted to Ravel the taste for clear lines, conciseness and formal balance, far from romantic effusions.
Harmony and modality : Ravel inherited from Fauré a certain harmonic audacity, the subtle use of modes and a sensitivity to seventh or ninth chords , which give a particular color to their music.
The treatment of melody: Although their melodies were different , Fauré instilled in Ravel the importance of the cantilena and of a lyrical and expressive melodic line.
However, Ravel quickly developed his own voice. Fauré, through his open-mindedness, allowed Ravel to flourish without confining him to his own style. Ravel pushed the finesse of orchestration much further than Fauré and incorporated influences (such as jazz or Spanish rhythms) that were absent in his master .
A lasting and respectful friendship
Until Fauré’s death in 1924, the two men maintained a relationship of deep respect and affection. Ravel always expressed his gratitude to Fauré, considering him a spiritual father and an essential guide in his career as a composer. He also actively participated in tributes and events in Fauré’s honor .
In short, the relationship between Maurice Ravel and Gabriel Fauré was exemplary: that of an enlightened master who, recognizing the genius of his pupil , knew how to encourage him to forge his own musical identity, and that of a grateful pupil who, while tracing his own path, always retained an esteem and filial love for the one who had trained him .
Relations of other composers
Maurice Ravel, a reserved man and demanding artist, interacted with many composers of his time, forging relationships that ranged from deep admiration to a certain polite distance, including fruitful exchanges. Beyond iconic figures like Debussy, Satie, and Koechlin (whom we’ve already discussed ), here are some of his direct relationships with other composers:
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Mutual esteem and admiration
Ravel and Stravinsky, although representing different aesthetics (French refinement for one, Russian primitive force for the other), shared a mutual admiration and a deep understanding of each other’s music. They met in Paris at the beginning of the 20th century , a vibrant period for artistic creation.
Stravinsky recognized Ravel’s genius, even dubbing him the “Swiss watchmaker” for his precision and the mechanical perfection of his writing, a compliment tinged with admiration. He reportedly attended the stormy premiere of Stravinsky’s The Rite of Spring in 1913, and Stravinsky reportedly said that Ravel was one of the few who immediately understood the work. Ravel, for his part , was fascinated by Stravinsky’s energy and originality .
Their relationship evolved from a certain closeness to a distance due to their distinct personal and aesthetic backgrounds. However, the mutual respect between these two giants of 20th- century music remained intact. Stravinsky even attended Ravel’s funeral in 1937.
George Gershwin (1898-1937): Transatlantic Admiration and Missed Opportunity
The encounter between Ravel and George Gershwin is one of the most famous and revealing of Ravel’s open-mindedness. In 1928, during his triumphant tour of the United States, Ravel met the young and dynamic Gershwin. Ravel was fascinated by American jazz, a genre he considered a vital and innovative musical force, and of which he had already incorporated elements into his own compositions .
At a party in New York, Gershwin is said to have played Ravel’s Rhapsody in Blue and the song “The Man I Love.” Ravel was deeply impressed by Gershwin’s innate melodic gift and his mastery of the jazz idiom. When Gershwin, eager to further his knowledge of classical composition, asked Ravel for lessons , Ravel politely declined. His response became legendary: “Why do you want to become a second-rate Ravel when you are already a first- rate Gershwin ?” Or, according to another version, “It would be better to write good Gershwin than bad Ravel.”
This refusal was not a sign of disdain, but rather a mark of respect for Gershwin’s originality, Ravel believing that he should not dilute his own genius by trying to imitate a style that was not his own. This anecdote underlines the mutual admiration between the two men, who died in the same year , 1937, both from neurological problems .
The Six (Darius Milhaud, Francis Poulenc, Arthur Honegger, Georges Auric, Louis Durey, Germaine Tailleferre): An indirect influence and distant respect
The Group of Six, active in the 1920s, sought to move away from the Impressionist aesthetics of Debussy and Ravel, which they sometimes considered too ethereal or complex, to advocate a simpler, more direct music rooted in everyday life. Led by Jean Cocteau, they embraced a spirit of anti-romanticism and modernity, often influenced by music hall, the circus, and jazz (long before Ravel incorporated it ).
Despite their desire to distance themselves, Ravel’s influence, as a major figure in French music , was inevitable. Some members, such as Francis Poulenc and Darius Milhaud, showed a certain respect for Ravel, recognizing his perfection of writing. Connections can even be seen in Milhaud’s interest in jazz (as in La Création du Monde, which predates Ravel’s concertos). Germaine Tailleferre, the only woman in the group, was particularly attentive to Ravel and Satie in her exploration of musical styles.
Ravel, for his part , observed this new movement with a certain curiosity. Although he did not adhere to all their provocations, he undoubtedly recognized their vitality and their desire for renewal. His relationship with them was that of an established figure facing a new generation , marked by distant respect rather than close collaboration or direct rivalry .
Arnold Schoenberg (1874-1951): Courageous Admiration and Intellectual Recognition
Although their musical languages were at opposite ends of the spectrum (Ravel attached to enriched tonality , Schoenberg a pioneer of atonality and dodecaphony), Maurice Ravel showed remarkable intellectual courage and open-mindedness towards Arnold Schoenberg.
In the 1920s, German music, and particularly that of more “radical” composers like Schoenberg, was often banned from Parisian concert halls due to post- World War I tensions . Yet Ravel, who was primarily concerned with art, not nationalities, publicly defended Schoenberg. When the École Normale de Musique in Paris invited Schoenberg to give a lecture, Ravel was one of the few French musicians of stature to openly support him, speaking out against the rampant artistic nationalism.
Ravel always considered Schoenberg an important composer and a profound musical thinker, even though he never adopted his twelve-tone ecaphonic system . This relationship was therefore based more on intellectual respect and recognition of innovation, rather than personal friendship or direct stylistic influence.
These examples illustrate Maurice Ravel’s unique position in the musical landscape of his time: that of a rigorous artist, deeply rooted in his tradition, but also incredibly open to the novelties and talents of his time, whatever their origin or aesthetic.
Maurice Ravel, as a meticulous and perfectionist composer, maintained complex and often very precise relationships with performers and orchestras. He was known for being demanding when it came to respecting his scores and his intentions, but he also knew how to recognize and value the talent of those who served his music.
Relations with interpreters : A demand for perfection
Ravel was extremely rigorous in the interpretation of his works. He hated any form of sentimental excess or excessive freedom. For him, the score was sacred, and the performer had to step back before the music. However, this requirement did not exclude collaboration and advice.
Ricardo Viñes (1875-1943): The lifelong friend and the “first Ravelian”
Ricardo Viñes , the Spanish pianist and childhood friend of Ravel, was arguably Ravel’s most intimate and important interpreter. As classmates, they shared musical and literary affinities. Viñes was the first interpreter of many of Ravel’s piano works, including Jeux d’eau (1902), the Miroirs suite (1906), and Gaspard de la Nuit (1909). Their relationship was one of deep mutual trust. Viñes intuitively understood Ravel’s language, and Ravel relied on his friend to bring his scores to life . It was thanks to Viñes that Ravel’s piano works were widely disseminated and recognized from the very beginning .
Marguerite Long (1874-1966): The muse of concertos
Marguerite Long, a renowned French pianist and influential teacher, had a very close professional relationship with Ravel , especially in his later years . Ravel devoted himself to her and collaborated closely on the premiere of his two concerto masterpieces: the Concerto in G major (1931) and the Concerto for the Left Hand (1930). Ravel worked directly with Long, explaining his intentions, phrasing, and tempos, ensuring that the performer accurately captured the spirit of his compositions. She became the leading interpreter of these concertos and a fervent promoter of his music.
Vlado Perlemuter ( 1904-2001 ) : The privileged student of complete works
Vlado Perlemuter, a French-Polish pianist, had a series of intensive lessons with Ravel in 1927, where he worked through the composer’s complete piano works . Ravel was impressed by Perlemuter’s rigor and seriousness. These work sessions were crucial for Perlemuter, who carefully recorded all of Ravel’s instructions, providing an invaluable testimony to the composer’s intentions. Perlemuter subsequently recorded Ravel’s complete piano works, which became the authority for decades .
Alfred Cortot (1877-1962): Mutual respect despite different temperaments
Cortot, another great pianist of the time, also performed Ravel ‘s music. Although their personalities are sometimes seen as opposites (Cortot more romantic, Ravel more “classical” and reserved ) , there was a mutual professional respect. Cortot was an immense musician and Ravel recognized his talent, even if he did not have the same personal affinity as with Viñes or Long.
Relations with orchestras and conductors: A composer who also conducted
Ravel was a genius orchestrator, and so he was naturally very involved in the way his orchestral works were performed . He had the opportunity to conduct his own compositions, notably during his triumphant tour of the United States in 1928, where he led prestigious orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951): The patron of the “Tableaux”
Serge Koussevitzky, a Russian conductor and patron of the arts , played a crucial role in the dissemination of Ravel’s music. He commissioned Ravel to orchestrate Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in 1922. Koussevitzky fervently championed Ravel’s version, giving its world premiere in Paris and later with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (of which he was music director). He held exclusive rights to this orchestration for several years, contributing greatly to its popularity and that of Ravel.
Pierre Monteux (1875-1964): The creator of “Daphnis and Chloe ”
French conductor , is famous for having conducted the world premiere of the ballet Daphnis et Chloé by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in 1912. The collaboration with Ravel was intense, with Ravel being very involved in the choreography and staging . Monteux, with his precision and sense of rhythm, was the ideal conductor for such a complex and innovative work.
Manuel Rosenthal (1904-2003): The Student and the Assistant
Manuel Rosenthal, composer and conductor, was one of Ravel’s few private composition students. He became his assistant and confidant in Ravel’s later years , even helping him write his notes and communicate as the composer’s illness worsened. Rosenthal was a staunch defender and interpreter of Ravel’s work, acting as guarantor of his performance wishes .
In short, Ravel maintained a demanding master-of-the-art relationship with performers and orchestras . He did not seek the ego of a soloist or conductor, but a faithful incarnation of his musical thought. This demand, combined with his clarity of writing, made his scores references , and his collaborations key moments that shaped the history of musical performance.
Relations with performers and orchestras
Maurice Ravel, as a meticulous and perfectionist composer, maintained complex and often very precise relationships with performers and orchestras. He was known for being demanding when it came to respecting his scores and his intentions, but he also knew how to recognize and value the talent of those who served his music.
Relations with interpreters : A demand for perfection
Ravel was extremely rigorous in the interpretation of his works. He hated any form of sentimental excess or excessive freedom. For him, the score was sacred, and the performer had to step back before the music. However, this requirement did not exclude collaboration and advice.
Ricardo Viñes (1875-1943): The lifelong friend and the “first Ravelian”
Ricardo Viñes , the Spanish pianist and childhood friend of Ravel, was arguably Ravel’s most intimate and important interpreter. As classmates, they shared musical and literary affinities. Viñes was the first interpreter of many of Ravel’s piano works, including Jeux d’eau (1902), the Miroirs suite (1906), and Gaspard de la Nuit (1909). Their relationship was one of deep mutual trust. Viñes intuitively understood Ravel’s language, and Ravel relied on his friend to bring his scores to life . It was thanks to Viñes that Ravel’s piano works were widely disseminated and recognized from the very beginning .
Marguerite Long (1874-1966): The muse of concertos
Marguerite Long, a renowned French pianist and influential teacher, had a very close professional relationship with Ravel , especially in his later years . Ravel devoted himself to her and collaborated closely on the premiere of his two concerto masterpieces: the Concerto in G major (1931) and the Concerto for the Left Hand (1930). Ravel worked directly with Long, explaining his intentions, phrasing, and tempos, ensuring that the performer accurately captured the spirit of his compositions. She became the leading interpreter of these concertos and a fervent promoter of his music.
Vlado Perlemuter ( 1904-2001 ) : The privileged student of complete works
Vlado Perlemuter, a French-Polish pianist, had a series of intensive lessons with Ravel in 1927, where he worked through the composer’s complete piano works . Ravel was impressed by Perlemuter’s rigor and seriousness. These work sessions were crucial for Perlemuter, who carefully recorded all of Ravel’s instructions, providing an invaluable testimony to the composer’s intentions. Perlemuter subsequently recorded Ravel’s complete piano works, which became the authority for decades .
Alfred Cortot (1877-1962): Mutual respect despite different temperaments
Cortot, another great pianist of the time, also performed Ravel ‘s music. Although their personalities are sometimes seen as opposites (Cortot more romantic, Ravel more “classical” and reserved ) , there was a mutual professional respect. Cortot was an immense musician and Ravel recognized his talent, even if he did not have the same personal affinity as with Viñes or Long.
Relations with orchestras and conductors: A composer who also conducted
Ravel was a genius orchestrator, and so he was naturally very involved in the way his orchestral works were performed . He had the opportunity to conduct his own compositions, notably during his triumphant tour of the United States in 1928, where he led prestigious orchestras such as the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra.
Serge Koussevitzky (1874-1951): The patron of the “Tableaux”
Serge Koussevitzky, a Russian conductor and patron of the arts , played a crucial role in the dissemination of Ravel’s music. He commissioned Ravel to orchestrate Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition in 1922. Koussevitzky fervently championed Ravel’s version, giving its world premiere in Paris and later with the Boston Symphony Orchestra (of which he was music director). He held exclusive rights to this orchestration for several years, contributing greatly to its popularity and that of Ravel.
Pierre Monteux (1875-1964): The creator of “Daphnis and Chloe ”
French conductor , is famous for having conducted the world premiere of the ballet Daphnis et Chloé by Diaghilev’s Ballets Russes in 1912. The collaboration with Ravel was intense, with Ravel being very involved in the choreography and staging . Monteux, with his precision and sense of rhythm, was the ideal conductor for such a complex and innovative work.
Manuel Rosenthal (1904-2003): The Student and the Assistant
Manuel Rosenthal, composer and conductor, was one of Ravel’s few private composition students. He became his assistant and confidant in Ravel’s later years , even helping him write his notes and communicate as the composer’s illness worsened. Rosenthal was a staunch defender and interpreter of Ravel’s work, acting as guarantor of his performance wishes .
In short, Ravel maintained a demanding master-of-the-art relationship with performers and orchestras . He did not seek the ego of a soloist or conductor, but a faithful incarnation of his musical thought. This demand, combined with his clarity of writing, made his scores references , and his collaborations key moments that shaped the history of musical performance.
Relationships between Ravel and characters of other genres
Maurice Ravel, although the heart of his life beat to the rhythm of music, was not a reclusive artist. He cultivated meaningful relationships with figures outside the strict framework of music, collaborations that sometimes nourished his work, and friendships that enriched his life.
Serge Diaghilev and the Ballets Russes: A Complicated Dance
Perhaps Ravel’s most resounding collaboration with the non-musical world was with Sergei Diaghilev, the brilliant and visionary impresario of the Ballets Russes. Diaghilev was an artistic catalyst, bringing together the most brilliant talents of his time — composers, dancers, choreographers, painters — to create shows that would revolutionize the world stage.
It was Diaghilev who commissioned Ravel to write the ballet Daphnis et Chloé in 1909 (which premiered in 1912). This undertaking was both an intense source of inspiration and a challenge. Ravel, known for his slowness and meticulousness , struggled to meet the deadlines of Diaghilev, a man in a hurry and demanding. Tensions arose, particularly around the length of the work and the constraints of choreographer Michel Fokine. Despite these frictions, the result was an absolute masterpiece, in which Ravel’s lush music blended perfectly with the choreography and sets .
This collaboration not only gave birth to one of Ravel’s major scores, but it also immersed him in the heart of the Parisian artistic avant-garde. There, he rubbed shoulders with iconic figures such as the dancer Vaslav Nijinsky, the painter and scenographer Léon Bakst, and the writer Jean Cocteau, thus broadening his artistic horizons.
Colette: The Poetess of Words and Sounds
Gabrielle Colette, the illustrious French woman of letters , forged a delightful artistic collaboration with Maurice Ravel. She wrote the libretto for the opera -fairy tale L’Enfant et les Sortilèges ( premiered in 1925).
Colette originally wrote this “lyrical fantasy” in 1918, under the title “Ballet for My Daughter.” Ravel, deeply moved by the poetry, boundless imagination, and humor of the text, decided to set it to music. Their collaboration was harmonious and respectful. Colette admired the way in which Ravel was able to translate the dreamlike world into music and bring to life the characters of objects and animals (the Chinese cup, the fire, the cat, the dragonfly, etc.). The work is a brilliant demonstration of Ravel’s genius for musical characterization and evocative orchestration .
The “Apaches”: A Circle of Free Spirits
Before fame caught up with him, Ravel was part of an informal group of artists and intellectuals called the “Apaches.” This name, which they jokingly gave themselves in reference to the gangs of thugs of the time, referred to a circle of friends who met regularly at the turn of the century . The group included musicians, but also many non-musicians: writers, poets , and painters.
Among them were figures such as the poet Léon – Paul Fargue, with whom Ravel shared a strong friendship and a common love of Paris. In this stimulating setting, Ravel could freely discuss aesthetic ideas , share his musical and literary discoveries, and benefit from intellectual and friendly support crucial to the development of his style and artistic thought.
Literary Influences and the Parisian Spirit
Ravel, despite his natural discretion, was a regular visitor to the Parisian salons and artistic circles of his time. His elegant dress , lively wit, and dry humor made him popular in these high-society circles. He enjoyed the company of writers and artists and was curious about all forms of art. His own passion for mechanics and automatons (inherited from his father ) , as well as his love of travel, testify to a curiosity that extended far beyond pure music.
It was in these circles that he could have immersed himself in the world of poets like Stéphane Mallarmé , whose verses inspired his Three Poems of Stéphane Mallarmé . Of course , Mallarmé had died before the composition of the work, but Ravel drew on the essence of his poetry to extract musical inspiration.
In short, while the art of sound was his one true passion, Maurice Ravel was nonetheless a man open to the world, cultivating enriching relationships with figures from other disciplines. These interactions not only nourished his artistic vision, but sometimes directly inspired and shaped his most emblematic works, proving that art, in all its diversity, is a constant dialogue.
Jean Cocteau
Relationship: Ravel and the poet , playwright, and filmmaker Jean Cocteau knew each other well and had artistic exchanges. Cocteau expressed his admiration for Ravel’s music and often referred to his influence in his own works.
Impact: Their relationship fostered a dialogue between music and visual arts, and Ravel was featured in some performances of Cocteau’s pieces .
Vaslav Nijinsky
Relationship: Although they did not have a direct collaboration, Nijinsky was a key figure in the dance world, and Ravel admired his work. Ravel’s works, notably ” Bol é ro” , have often been used in contemporary ballets.
Impact : Their association symbolizes the interconnection between music and dance, influencing the way Ravel ‘s music has been interpreted on stage .
Maurice Maeterlinck
Relationship: The Nobel Prize-winning Belgian playwright had an impact on Ravel, although there was no direct collaboration. Ravel was influenced by the symbolist themes present in Maeterlinck’s works.
Impact: This relationship enriched Ravel’s interest in opera and stage music , reflecting poetic and emotional themes .
Conclusion
Maurice Ravel had direct and meaningful relationships with several figures from various artistic genres. These interactions enriched his music and fostered a creative exchange of ideas between music, literature, and dance, highlighting the interconnectedness of the arts in the early 20th century .
Similar Composers
Claude Debussy (1862-1918): The Impressionist par excellence
This is the most obvious and most frequent comparison. Debussy is the founder of musical impressionism. He shares with Ravel a search for sound colors, the use of non-traditional modes, ethereal harmonies , and a desire to suggest rather than describe . However, Ravel is often perceived as more classical in his structure, more precise and rigorous, while Debussy is more fluid and “fuzzy” in his forms.
Gabriel Faur é (1845-1924): The Master and the Influence
Ravel’s teacher, Fauré influenced his student with his elegance , clarity of writing, and harmonic refinement. Fauré embodies a certain essence of French music , characterized by delicate melody and subtle harmonies. This same preoccupation with beauty of line and harmonic sophistication can be found in Ravel , even if Ravel pushed orchestration and the integration of influences (such as jazz or Spanish) much further.
Emmanuel Chabrier (1841-1894): The Precursor of Exoticism and Colors
Chabrier, although earlier than Ravel, is often cited as a precursor to “modern” French composers . His work España ( 1883) is a shining example of his bold use of Spanish rhythms and colors, a major influence that Ravel also fully embraced and developed (think Boléro or L’ Heure espagnole). Chabrier brings a certain freshness and orchestral vitality that can be reminiscent of Ravel.
Paul Dukas (1865-1935): Master of Orchestration and Fantasy
Known primarily for The Sorcerer’s Apprentice, Dukas shares with Ravel an exceptional mastery of orchestration and a taste for the fantastical and evocative sounds . His music is also characterized by great formal rigor and brilliant writing.
Spanish composers influenced by France:
Manuel de Falla (1876-1946): A friend of Ravel, de Falla is the greatest Spanish composer of his generation . He shares with Ravel a deep affinity for the rhythms and melodies of Spain, but treats them with a modernized harmonic language and refined orchestration. Works such as Nights in the Gardens of Spain and The Three-Cornered Hat resonate with certain Ravelian colors.
Isaac Albéniz (1860-1909): Although more rooted in Romanticism, his piano suites like Iberia are masterpieces of Spanish-inspired piano writing, with rich textures and colors that may have influenced Ravel.
20th century composers influenced by neoclassicism and jazz:
Francis Poulenc (1899-1963): A member of Les Six, Poulenc moved away from Impressionism, but shared with Ravel a clarity of writing, a melodic elegance and, at times, a sense of entertainment or a touch of veiled melancholy . His interest in jazz and music hall recalls Ravel’s overture.
Darius Milhaud (1892-1974): Another member of Les Six, Milhaud also explored jazz in a significant way (La Création du Monde), sometimes before Ravel, but with a different approach .
Igor Stravinsky (1882-1971): Stravinsky and Ravel shared a mutual admiration. Although their styles were very different , Stravinsky also explored neoclassicism and very precise orchestral writing , sometimes described as ” mechanical,” which resonates with the “Swiss watchmaker” Ravel.
Ultimately, Ravel’s music remains unique in its combination of precision , orchestral virtuosity , harmonic refinement, and diverse stylistic influences. However, by exploring the composers mentioned above, one can find echoes and affinities that will broaden your appreciation of his musical universe.
As a pianist
Maurice Ravel, although one of the most innovative and influential composers of his time, was not a virtuoso concert pianist in the sense that Franz Liszt or Sergei Rachmaninoff were . However, the piano played a central and intimate role in his life and compositional process.
A promising but non – conformist student
Ravel began playing the piano at the age of seven and entered the prestigious Paris Conservatoire at fourteen. He won a first prize for piano there in 1891, which demonstrated a certain talent and good technique. However, he was not a conventional student . He was more interested in musical experimentation and composition than in the repetitive practice necessary to become a top concert pianist. His teachers sometimes considered him “lazy” or too original, but recognized his musical intelligence .
The piano as a composition laboratory
For Ravel, the piano was not so much a virtuoso performance instrument as an essential laboratory for his musical creation. He worked constantly at the keyboard, experimenting with harmonies, textures, and sonorities before committing them to paper. It was on the piano that most of his ideas took shape and the “new tendencies” of his style first appeared.
His works for solo piano are of formidable technical complexity and astounding harmonic and timbral richness. Pieces such as Jeux d’eau (1901), Miroirs (1905), and especially Gaspard de la Nuit (1908), with its movements “Ondine,” “Le Gibet,” and the terrifying “Scarbo,” push the boundaries of pianistic virtuosity. They require not only impeccable technique, but also a mastery of touch, nuance, and color to do justice to their evocative atmospheres .
A precise but technically limited interpreter
Ravel performed his own works privately and on some public occasions, but he was not a concert pianist in the broad sense. His contemporaries described him as a very precise and faithful performer , avoiding any superfluous effects or excessive sentimentality . He favored clarity , sharp phrasing, and the highlighting of structures, reflecting his perfectionist aesthetic.
However, he had technical limitations. Towards the end of his life, his neurological problems made playing the piano very difficult , if not impossible. He is even said to have joked that his friends might argue about whether he was worse as a pianist or a conductor.
The Recordings: Valuable but Controversial Witnesses
Ravel was one of the first composers to grasp the importance of recordings for disseminating his music. He made several recordings of his piano works on player piano rolls (Welte-Mignon and Duo-Art) in the 1910s and 1920s, and a few acoustic recordings later.
These recordings are of immense historical value, as they give us a direct insight into his interpretative intentions. However, they are sometimes controversial and do not always reflect brilliant technical virtuosity. They highlight his rhythmic rigor and his search for clarity , even if the technical quality of his playing was not always impeccable on these early supports.
The pianist at the service of the composer
In short, Maurice Ravel was not the kind of pianist who thrilled crowds with his spectacular virtuosity. His relationship to the piano was that of a composer who thought through the instrument, using it as an essential tool to explore new sounds, refine his harmonies, and construct his works with watchmaker-like precision. He was a “composer’s pianist” par excellence, whose genius at the keyboard was manifested less by the brilliance of his performances than by the depth and innovation of his own writing.
Famous works of solo piano
Maurice Ravel composed several masterpieces for solo piano, all of which are explorations of color, virtuosity, and innovation. Here are some of his most famous works :
Jeux d’eau (1901): Inspired by symbolist poetry and moving water, this piece is one of the first to showcase Ravel’s impressionist style. With its shimmering textures and virtuosity, Jeux d’eau is often compared to Debussy’s Reflets dans l’eau .
Miroirs (1904–1905 ) : This collection of five pieces , each dedicated to a friend of Ravel, is a poetic exploration of different atmospheres . The best-known pieces are Oiseaux tristes, which evokes the melancholy of birds in the forest , and Alborada del gracioso , which fuses Spanish rhythms with dazzling virtuosity. Une barque sur l’ océan is also renowned for its complexity and evocation of the sea.
Sonatina (1903 – 1905): This piece in three movements (Moderate , Minuet Movement, Lively) is short but rich in delicacy and refinement. It presents classical writing tinged with modernity, and the final part is full of energy and dynamism.
Gaspard de la nuit (1908): Inspired by poems by Aloysius Bertrand, this three-movement collection (Ondine, Le Gibet, and Scarbo) is one of the most difficult works in the piano repertoire. Scarbo, in particular, is famous for its extreme virtuosity and its mysterious and menacing character . Ravel explores new textures and strange atmospheres .
Antique Minuet (1895, revised in 1903): Composed while Ravel was still a student, this piece refers to Baroque dance forms. It is distinguished by its grace and elegance , with a marked neoclassical style .
Pavane for a Dead Princess (1899): Originally written for piano and later orchestrated, this piece is a nostalgic evocation of a slow, elegant dance . Ravel described it as “ a dance that a little princess might perform, in the spirit of a painting by Velázquez . ”
Noble and Sentimental Waltzes (1911): This collection of eight waltzes is a tribute to Franz Schubert, who himself wrote Noble and Sentimental Waltzes. With bold harmonies and a complex structure, Ravel explores diverse feelings, ranging from tenderness to exuberance .
Le Tombeau de Couperin (1914–1917 ) : This six-movement collection, dedicated to the memory of friends who died during the First World War, is a tribute to 18th-century French harpsichordists . Pieces such as the Prélude , the Forlane, and the Toccata feature virtuoso and refined writing , integrating Baroque elements into a modern style.
In the Manner of… Chabrier and In the Manner of… Borodin (1913): Two short pieces in which Ravel imitates the style of his fellow composers , Emmanuel Chabrier and Alexander Borodin. It is an exercise in humor and pastiche, light and virtuoso.
Prelude (1913): Composed as a competition piece for the Paris Conservatoire, this very short prelude explores complex harmonies and a delicate touch, while maintaining a relatively simple structure.
These works demonstrate Ravel ‘s ingenuity and imagination , as he loved to integrate varied influences, from Baroque music to Spanish rhythms, while fully exploiting the expressive and technical capabilities of the piano.
Famous pianists played Ravel
Maurice Ravel’s works have been performed by many famous pianists , who have contributed to the fame of his work and the diversity of interpretations. Here are some of the great names who have marked the history of his interpretations :
Alfred Cortot: Legendary French pianist, Cortot interpreted Ravel , although his style was more Romantic. However, he brought a unique sensibility, giving Ravel’s work a particular poetic depth .
Marguerite Long: A close friend of Ravel, she premiered his Concerto for the Left Hand and Concerto in G major in 1932. Her performance has become a benchmark for authenticity and fidelity to the composer’s intentions. She even published a book entitled At the Piano with Ravel, which provides valuable insights into the interpretation of his work.
Samson François : A flamboyant French pianist , Samson François is renowned for his interpretations of Ravel’s works, including Gaspard de la nuit and Miroirs. He played with an expressiveness and sensitivity that highlighted the nuances and impressionistic atmosphere of Ravel’s music.
Vlado Perlemuter: Also close to Ravel, Perlemuter worked directly with the composer, which makes his interpretations unique in terms of authenticity. His interpretations of Jeux d’ eau , Gaspard de la nuit, and Le Tombeau de Couperin are considered benchmarks .
Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli: Famous for his impeccable technique and analytical approach, Michelangeli brought incredible clarity to Ravel’s works, especially Gaspard de la nuit. His mastery of touch and perfectionism made him an impressive interpreter of Ravel ‘s complex and detailed works .
Martha Argerich: An Argentinian pianist with an intense and energetic style, Argerich often performed Ravel , notably Gaspard de la nuit, which she performed with a virtuosity and force that underline its mysterious and poetic character .
Jean-Yves Thibaudet: A contemporary French pianist , Thibaudet is renowned for his interpretations of Ravel’s works, which he performs with elegance and a modern impressionist sensibility. His recording of Ravel’s complete piano works is highly regarded for its subtlety and refinement.
Alicia de Larrocha: Spanish pianist best known for her interpretation of Spanish composers, she also interpreted Ravel with a precise and subtle style, highlighting the Iberian colors of certain works, such as Rapsodie espagnole and Alborada del gracioso.
These pianists each brought a unique perspective to Ravel’s music, which they approached with varied styles ranging from poetic depth to dazzling virtuosity , reinforcing the impact and notoriety of the work of this great French composer .
My Mother Goose
Mother Goose for four piano hands: A Magical Journey
Ma Mère l’Oye is one of Maurice Ravel’s most charming and poetic works, originally conceived for piano four hands in 1910. Although he later orchestrated and adapted it into a ballet, the original version for piano four hands retains a particular intimacy and delicacy that reveals Ravel’s genius in its purest form.
Genesis of the work: A gift for children
The idea for Mother Goose was born from Ravel’s affection for the children of his friends, Cipa and Ida Godebski: Mimi and Jean. Fascinated by their playful world and innocence, Ravel wanted to offer them a series of pieces inspired by the fairy tales they loved to read. He himself described the work as “five children’s pieces . ” Unlike virtuoso works like Gaspard de la Nuit, Ravel deliberately designed Mother Goose to be technically accessible , even if the musical expression remains highly subtle. He wanted Mimi and Jean to be able to play them themselves .
The Magic of Musical Tales
The work consists of five pieces , each taken from a famous fairy tale :
Sleeping Beauty Pavane: The first piece , a slow and dreamy pavan , depicts the princess’s deep sleep. It is a simple but very tender theme, which establishes the fairy-tale atmosphere of the whole .
Little Thumb: This piece evokes the tale of Little Thumb and his pebbles. The melody is hesitant, almost fragile, punctuated by small silences that suggest Little Thumb’s cautious steps and the path he leaves behind, with light figures representing the birds that come to eat his crumbs.
Laideronnette, Empress of the Pagodas: Inspired by a tale by Madame d’Aulnoy, this piece depicts an ugly but charming princess, whose bathtub is decorated with porcelain pagoda figurines that sing and play music. Ravel uses exotic harmonies, pentatonic scales, and gamelan sounds to create an oriental and slightly kitsch atmosphere, full of delicate colors .
The Conversations of Beauty and the Beast : A piece that illustrates the dialogue between the gentle and elegant Beauty (represented by a graceful waltz) and the Beast , whose ugliness is suggested by slow, deep, sometimes dissonant phrases played in the lower register. The music depicts their conversation until the Beast’s final transformation into a Prince.
The Fairy Garden : The conclusion of the suite, this piece is one of luminous splendor and overflowing joy . It depicts the moment when all spells are broken and the garden lights up. The final theme , majestic and lyrical, brings a magnificent resolution and a sense of wonder.
A Masterpiece of Children’s Music
Ma Mère l’Oye for piano four hands is a perfect example of Ravel’s ability to create music of great harmonic and orchestral sophistication (even on the piano), while maintaining a simplicity and accessibility that make it intelligible and moving for audiences of all ages . Each piece is a finely crafted miniature , in which Ravel uses his genius for color and detail to depict the characters and situations of the tales with incredible economy of means and accuracy. It is a work that continues to fascinate with its poetry, tenderness, and timeless beauty .
Piano trio
Maurice Ravel’s Piano Trios: A Unique and Exceptional Work
Maurice Ravel composed only one piano trio, but this unique work is considered one of the pinnacles of the chamber music repertoire. The Piano Trio in A minor was completed in 1914 , just at the beginning of the First World War, and is the result of an intense period of creativity for the composer.
Context and Genesis
Ravel had begun work on his piano trio in 1914, shortly before the outbreak of the First World War. The imminence of the conflict and his burning desire to enlist (he made numerous attempts to join the army) undoubtedly infused the work with a particular emotional intensity , even though Ravel was a composer who shunned unbridled expressionism . He composed it quickly, with remarkable concentration, completing the final movement as he was about to join the army as a chauffeur.
The work is dedicated to his teacher and friend, Gabriel Fauré, a mark of respect and admiration for the man who had supported Ravel so much.
Musical Structure and Characteristics
‘s own harmonic language and rhythmic inventiveness :
Moderate : This first movement opens with a lyrical and plaintive piano theme , supported by the melancholy of the violin and cello. Ravel explores ethereal sounds , with rich and complex harmonies , and refined polyphonic writing . We already perceive Ravel ‘s mastery of timbre, each instrument having its own distinct voice while blending into a coherent whole .
Pantoum (Quite Lively): The second movement is a unique form in Ravel’s music, inspired by pantoum, a Malay poetic form. This structure involves the repetition of lines in different stanzas , creating an effect of interlacing and continuous variation. Musically, this results in themes that return in modified forms, with writing full of rhythmic vitality and virtuosity. The piano, violin, and cello exchange motifs with great agility , creating a lively and playful atmosphere , but with a touch of strangeness .
Passacaglia (Very Large ): This is the emotional heart of the work. A passacaglia is a Baroque form based on the obstinate repetition of a motif in the bass, over which melodic and harmonic variations develop. Here, Ravel uses a dark and solemn theme in the piano, which is taken up and developed with increasing depth and intensity by the cello, then the violin. This movement is of great expressive power, evoking a feeling of fatality or deep meditation, perhaps influenced by the context of war.
Finale (Animated ): The final movement is a whirlwind of energy and virtuosity. It is characterized by lively rhythms, swirling motifs, and bold harmonies. Ravel displays highly demanding piano and chamber music, bringing the three instruments into dialogue with increasing intensity until a brilliant and dramatic conclusion. Some see elements of Basque inspiration, particularly in the dynamic rhythms.
Importance and Heritage
Ravel’s Trio in A minor is a fundamental piece in the chamber music repertoire. It is admired for:
Its structural mastery : Ravel deploys a rigorous and complex architecture, mixing classical forms and innovations.
Its harmonic and melodic richness: The harmonies are of great sophistication, and the melodies are both melodious and expressive.
His genius for instrumental writing: Each instrument is treated with an intimate knowledge of its possibilities , creating a perfect balance between the three voices. Ravel succeeds in giving the impression of an almost orchestral richness of sound with only three instruments.
Its emotional depth: Despite Ravel’s reputation for emotional distance, this trio reveals a hidden intensity and expressiveness that make it deeply touching.
It is a demanding work for performers , but immensely rewarding, which continues to fascinate musicians and audiences alike with its timeless beauty and perfection of writing .
Piano Concerto in G major
as the “Concerto in G”) is one of Maurice Ravel’s most famous works. It was composed between 1929 and 1931.
Here are some key points to remember about this work:
Genre: Concerto for piano and orchestra.
Movements: It is composed of three movements:
Cheerfully
Adagio Assai
Presto
Style: The concerto is renowned for its unique blend of classical influences (with echoes of Mozart), jazz (particularly in the first and third movements ), and Ravel ‘s brilliant and colorful orchestral style . It is characterized by virtuosic piano playing, lyrical melodies, and driving rhythms .
Compositional context: Ravel initially considered performing it himself , but health problems prevented him from doing so . It was finally given its world premiere by Marguerite Long on 14 January 1932 in Paris, under the direction of Ravel himself .
Reception : The concerto was immediately acclaimed and remains today one of the most performed and recorded concert works in the piano repertoire.
Concerto for the Left Hand in D Major
Commission and dedicatee: It was commissioned by the Austrian pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who had lost his right arm during the First World War. It is therefore designed to be played with the soloist’s left hand only, while creating the sonic illusion of a two-handed part.
Composition: Ravel composed it between 1929 and 1931, at the same time as his Concerto in G major.
Structure: Unlike most traditional concertos, it is in one movement, although it includes several sections that follow one another (Lento – Andante – Allegro – Pi ù vivo ed accelerando – Tempo I° – Allegro).
Style and Atmosphere : The work is often described as darker, more dramatic, and more serious than the Concerto in G major. It explores rich, deep sonorities, and the virtuosity of the left hand is pushed to the extreme , creating a dense and powerful texture. It has elements of jazz, but also a certain ” tragic vehemence” and a meditative quality .
Premiere : The world premiere took place in Vienna on January 5 , 1932, with Paul Wittgenstein at the piano and Robert Heger conducting .
This concerto is an extraordinary testament to Ravel’s ability to overcome a technical constraint (playing with one hand) to create a work of rare musical depth and power. It has become a pillar of the piano repertoire and a challenge for the greatest virtuosos.
Symphonic Works
Maurice Ravel did not compose a symphony in the traditional, complete sense of the term (i.e. , a multi-movement work for orchestra in strict sonata form, like those of Beethoven or Brahms). His orchestral genius was instead expressed through a wide variety of symphonic works , often in the form of choreographic poems , ballet suites, concertos, or orchestrations of existing pieces .
a list of his most famous symphonic works :
Famous Symphonic Works by Maurice Ravel
Bolero (1928): Arguably his most iconic and recognizable work, it is a ballet based on a single melody and rhythmic accompaniment repeated over and over , with a continuous orchestral crescendo leading to a resounding climax .
Daphnis and Chloe (1912): Originally a ballet commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for the Ballets Russes, Ravel composed two symphonic suites from it (Suite No. 1 and Suite No. 2 ), which are very often performed in concert. Suite No. 2 , in particular, is famous for its luminous “Daybreak,” its sensual “Pantomime,” and its frenetic “Danse Générale . ” It is one of Ravel’s most orchestrally rich and lush works .
La Valse, po è me chorégraphique (1920): Described by Ravel as a ” choreographic poem for orchestra”, this piece evokes the grandeur and decadence of a Viennese waltz, with an atmosphere that moves from opulence to a kind of infernal whirlwind.
A four-movement work for orchestra, imbued with the spirit and rhythms of Spain. It includes famous sections such as the “Habanera” and the “Feria.”
Mother Goose (Ballet Suite) (1911): Originally composed for piano four hands, Ravel orchestrated this fairy tale suite into a delicate and colorful ballet. The orchestral suite is very popular for its finesse and magic.
Le Tombeau de Couperin (orchestral suite) (1919): Ravel orchestrated four of the six movements of his piano suite, a tribute to French Baroque composers and friends who died during the First World War. The orchestration adds a new dimension of color and transparency to these stylized dances .
Concerto in G major for piano and orchestra (1931): A brilliant, lively, and elegant concerto , which incorporates elements of jazz, particularly in its outer movements. The central slow movement is lyrically beautiful and movingly simple.
A Boat on the Ocean (1906): Ravel’s orchestration of one of the pieces from his piano suite Miroirs. It evokes the gentle movement and reflections of water.
Alborada del Gracioso (1918): Also an orchestration by Ravel of a piece from Miroirs. It is a brilliant and energetic piece , inspired by the figure of the Spanish “gracioso,” with guitar rhythms and bright colors.
Pictures at an Exhibition (Mussorgsky Orchestration) (1922): Although not an original work by Ravel, his orchestration of Modest Mussorgsky’s piano cycle has become the most famous and most frequently performed version . It is a masterpiece of orchestration, revealing Ravel’s ability to enhance another composer’s work with his own timbral genius.
These works demonstrate Ravel’s incomparable talent for orchestration, his ability to create varied atmospheres and his stylistic evolution throughout his career .
Other famous works
Chamber Music
String Quartet in F major (1903): This is one of the most important chamber music works of the early 20th century . Of great harmonic and melodic richness, this quartet is admired for its impeccable structure and refinement.
Sonata for violin and cello (1922): Dedicated to the memory of Claude Debussy, this sonata is a demanding and austere work , marking a turning point towards a more stripped-down and contrapuntal style.
Violin Sonata No. 2 in G major (1927): This sonata is notable for its second movement , the “Blues,” which boldly and stylizedly incorporates elements of American jazz , an influence that Ravel greatly appreciated .
Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet and string quartet ( 1905): A shimmering and delicate work, highlighting the timbres of the harp and woodwinds, in virtuoso and refined writing .
Melodies (Songs )
Ravel is also a composer of melodies of great finesse, in which he demonstrates a poetic sensitivity and a keen sense of French prosody .
Scheherazade (1903): Cycle of three melodies for voice and orchestra (or piano), on poems by Tristan Klingsor. These melodies evoke the Orient with luxuriant colors and great sensuality :
“Asia”
“The Magic Flute ”
“The Indifference ”
Natural Stories (1906): A cycle of five melodies for voice and piano with texts by Jules Renard. Ravel displays subtle humor and great precision in the musical description of animals (The Peacock, The Cricket, The Swan, The Kingfisher , The Guinea Fowl).
Three Poems by Stéphane Mallarmé (1913): For voice, piano, two flutes, two clarinets and string quartet . These melodies are examples of Ravel’s harmonic sophistication and contrapuntal clarity , inspired by the symbolist poetry of Mallarmé .
Opera
L’Heure espagnole (1911): A one-act comic opera. It is a farce set in Tolèze , in the clockworks of a cuckolded husband. The work is full of wit, Spanish rhythms, and brilliant orchestration that highlights the agitation of the clockwork mechanisms.
L’Enfant et les Sortilèges ( 1925): An opera-fantasy in two parts, with a libretto by Colette. It is a magical and imaginative work in which a turbulent child sees objects and animals rebel against him. Ravel displays an incredible ability to musically characterize each character (cup, teapot , fire , cat, clock, etc.) with an orchestration full of ingenuity.
Activities outside of music
Maurice Ravel, despite his reputation as a perfectionist composer and reserved dandy , had interests and activities outside of music that revealed other facets of his personality. Although music was central to his life, he was not an artist cloistered in his ivory tower.
A pronounced taste for aesthetics and elegance
Ravel was a true dandy. He was known for his impeccable sartorial elegance, always impeccably dressed , even at home. He attached great importance to his appearance, a trait that sometimes contrasted with his discreet personality . This pursuit of aesthetics was reflected in his daily life and his possessions.
Passion for art objects and curiosities
He had a marked taste for objets d’art, curiosities, and trinkets. His house in Montfort-l’Amaury, which he carefully furnished , reflected this passion. There he collected antiques, mechanical toys, music boxes , and souvenirs from his travels. This interest in automatons and ingenious mechanisms may also be linked to the influence of his father , Joseph Ravel, who was an engineer and inventor. It is said that Boléro itself , with its repetitive and hypnotic character , may have been inspired by the ” mad beauty of machines.”
A love for cats and the world of childhood
Ravel was a great lover of cats. It is said that he always had several at his side in his house. This affection for animals, combined with his interest in toys and fairy tales, reveals a tenderness and fascination for the world of childhood that can be found in works such as Mother Goose and The Child and the Spells .
Travel and cultural discoveries
Despite his solitary nature, Ravel loved to travel. His concert tours, particularly the one in the United States in 1928, provided an opportunity to discover new cultures and open himself to unexpected influences. It was during this trip that he was particularly exposed to jazz , a music that fascinated him and whose elements he incorporated into his later works . These trips allowed him to broaden his horizons and enrich his palette of inspiration.
A discreet but certain commitment
Although Ravel was a very private man , he was not totally indifferent to the events of his time.
I : He made several attempts to enlist at the front. Rejected as a pilot due to his physical fragility, he eventually served as an ambulance driver in the French army , an experience that had a profound impact on him and demonstrated his sense of duty.
Artistic support: He also showed a certain commitment by defending the music of composers he admired (like Erik Satie in his early days, or Arnold Schoenberg in the face of a certain musical nationalism) or by taking part in supporting friends in difficult times.
In short, beyond the image of the demanding composer bent over his scores, Maurice Ravel was a man sensitive to the beauties of the world, curious about innovations (including technological ones), attentive to his personal environment, and capable of a discreet but sincere commitment .
Episodes and anecdotes
Maurice Ravel, despite his discreet and reserved nature , was the protagonist of several episodes and anecdotes which shed light on his singular personality , his artistic demands and his subtle humor.
The “Ravel Scandal” at the Prix de Rome (1905)
It is one of the most famous and revealing anecdotes of his time . Ravel, already a composer of major pieces such as Jeux d’eau and his String Quartet , repeatedly attempted the prestigious Prix de Rome, a highly sought – after scholarship . In the 1905 edition, he was eliminated in the first round , while less talented candidates were selected. This absurd decision provoked an outcry. The newspaper Le Figaro published a virulent article denouncing the “Ravel scandal,” pointing the finger at the sclerotic academicism of the Paris Conservatoire and its director, Théodore Dubois. The affair grew so widespread that it led to Dubois’s resignation and the appointment of Gabriel Fauré, Ravel’s own professor, as head of the institution. This episode reinforced Ravel ‘s image as a genius misunderstood by the establishment, but also as a figure of the avant-garde.
The “Swiss Watchmaker” and his quest for perfection
Ravel was legendary for his meticulousness . The composer Igor Stravinsky, who greatly admired him, affectionately nicknamed him the “Swiss watchmaker.” This nickname emphasized Ravel’s surgical precision in his composition, his ability to assemble the smallest details with almost mechanical perfection. Ravel himself recognized this tendency: it is said that he would spend hours refining a single measure, working on his scores with the meticulousness of a craftsman. When asked if he had inspiration, he would often humorously reply, “Inspiration? It’s the result of hard work .”
The refusal of the Legion of Honor and Satie’s dig
In 1920, Maurice Ravel was nominated for the Legion of Honor, one of France’s highest distinctions . To everyone ‘s surprise , Ravel declined the award. This gesture was seen by many as a mark of his independent spirit and refusal to bow to official institutions. His friend and colleague Erik Satie, known for his caustic wit, commented on the event with one of his famous jibes: “Ravel has just refused the Legion of Honor, but all his music accepts it.” This line, both droll and biting , summed up Satie’s perception that, despite Ravel’s rebellious gesture, his music was of such formal perfection that it was ultimately very ” academic ” in his eyes.
“Why become a bad Ravel, when you are an excellent Gershwin?”
During his triumphant tour of the United States in 1928, Ravel met George Gershwin, the talented young American jazz composer. Gershwin, eager to further his knowledge of classical composition, asked Ravel for lessons . Ravel ‘s response became legendary: “Why do you want to become a bad Ravel, when you are an excellent Gershwin?” This anecdote illustrates not only Ravel’s humility, but also his deep respect for the originality and genius of each artist. He recognized the value of jazz and the importance for Gershwin of developing his own unique style rather than imitating another composer.
Love of cats and mechanical curiosities
Ravel was a great cat lover. His house in Montfort-l’Amaury, which he decorated with exquisite taste, was reputed to be home to several felines. He enjoyed their discreet company and independence. His house was also filled with mechanical toys, automata, and trinkets, reflecting a penchant for engineering and precise mechanisms, perhaps inherited from his inventor father . This fascination with cogs and precision was reflected in his own music, where every element seems to fit together perfectly .
These anecdotes, although they do not reveal the whole complexity of the man, offer a delicious insight into the personality of Maurice Ravel: a demanding artist, a man of wit, and a singular figure in the musical world.
(This article was generated by Gemini. And it’s just a reference document for discovering music you don’t know yet.)
Best Classical Recordings
on YouTube
Best Classical Recordings
on Spotify
