Some Wisdom from Maurice Ravel

November 22, 2023 / Lani Elston

For those of you who don’t know of Maurice Ravel, he was one of the most celebrated composers of the early 20th century - and also one of my favorite composers!

To share a few details, Ravel was a key figure in the Impressionist movement in music. This style of composition is known for how it conveys emotions and imagery as an “impression” of sound. If you’re familiar with the artist, Monet, this is the same concept as his paintings, but with music.

While Ravel’s compositions are captivating, it is his piano works that truly showcase his talent and creativity. One of the defining features of his piano compositions is his mastery of complex harmonies and unique chord progressions. He pushed the boundaries of tonality, often incorporating jazz-inspired harmonies and exotic scales. One interesting fact is that while Ravel explored Impressionism, he maintained the use of traditional forms and structure in many of his works. This is the opposite of his fellow Impressionist composer, Claude Debussy, who avoided the use of traditional methods.

Ravel's piano compositions are known for their technical demands, and his genius as a composer is reflected in his ability to push the boundaries of what the piano can do. Works like "Ondine" from "Gaspard de la nuit" are notorious for their difficulty and challenge pianists to explore the full range of the instrument to showcase their virtuosity. His works are not only technically demanding but also emotionally and artistically compelling. I have found through my own playing of his works a combination of joy and new discoveries as an artist, which is incredibly inspiring!

Lastly, to truly appreciate Ravel's piano music, I recommend you listen to the following works - they are incredibly captivating!

*Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit

*Sonatine

*Une barque sur l’ocean from Miroirs

*Alborada del gracioso" from Miroirs

*Jeux d’eau

*Bolero (not piano, but definitely worth listening to!)

Do you have a favorite Ravel piece? Let me know in the comments below!

Questions? Feel free to contact me anytime. - Lani

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