When people hear “Boléro,” most think of the piece by the French composer Maurice Ravel, but in fact it is also a genre of dance music with Spanish origins.
Of course, Ravel’s Boléro is the most famous and has become synonymous with the genre, influencing many composers.
For example, the theme of the period drama Mito Kōmon uses the bolero rhythm, and the style of building grandeur by repeating the same melody with evolving arrangements is used to great effect in Time to Say Goodbye and in the orchestral arrangement of Hikari from Kingdom Hearts by Hikaru Utada.
Given the bolero’s powerful influence, you might be surprised to find that some of these pieces are boleros too!
We’ve gathered such works and outstanding performances by various artists.
By all means, listen beyond just Ravel’s Boléro and discover other pieces in this vein.
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Masterpieces of the bolero. Recommended popular pieces in bolero form and great performances (1–10)
La gataMoncho
Hailing from Catalonia, Spain, Moncho is a singer known as the “King of Bolero.” His warm voice weaves melodies that evoke Spain’s sweltering afternoons.
This work is a song that portrays the feelings of a heartbroken woman.
While she calmly accepts a chance encounter and its end, it depicts her continuing to think of him, like a she-cat in the rain.
The lyrics convey a deep loneliness and poignancy that resonate with listeners.
It’s a recommended track for those who want to savor both the joys and pains of love.
Released in October 1996, this piece invites you to discover the allure of bolero—distinct from that of the classical composer Maurice Ravel.
BoleroDef Tech
From here, let me introduce a slightly unusual bolero.
The genre known as the bolero originally refers to pieces in a 3/4-time dance form that emerged from the culture of Spain.
It is said to have been created around 1780 by the dancer Sebastiano Carezo.
This one is Def Tech’s Bolero, which became very famous as the theme song for a Japanese Red Cross commercial.
The song draws its inspiration from Maurice Ravel’s Bolero; although it’s not classical but has a distinctly modern pop/rock flavor, it is still, in its own way, a contemporary bolero.
Space Battleship Yamato: The Final Chapter – Bolero of SorrowMiyakawa Tai
The music is striking, evoking a grand symphony.
While based on the rhythm of Boléro, it features a distinctive, weighty orchestral sound as heard in the film Space Battleship Yamato: The Final Chapter.
Its repeating melody and gradually intensifying development unmistakably call to mind Ravel’s Boléro.
It’s interesting to find a piece in anime music that consciously references Boléro.
Released alongside the film’s premiere in April 1983, this track is recommended for fans of sci-fi cinema and those who enjoy majestic music.
It’s a perfect piece for anyone who wants to immerse themselves in the film’s world or is seeking a moving musical experience.
Bolero in C major, Op. 19Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin/Vladimir Ashkenazy
When you hear “Bolero,” the French composer Maurice Ravel is probably the first to come to mind.
However, even before Ravel’s Bolero appeared, the genre already existed—for example, in the dance music within Carl Maria von Weber’s incidental music for Preciosa.
This shows that many pieces in this style were composed and that it was a popular rhythm and musical form of the time.
The tradition has continued into the modern era; aside from Ravel, a well-known classical example is Frédéric Chopin’s piano piece Boléro in C major, Op.
19.
It is widely known and is sometimes used as an early study piece.
When people think of Chopin, they often think of his Polonaises, so you might picture a Polonaise rather than a Bolero.
「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/Shimohane Minami Ōboe Maruchipurēyā MINAMI
This is Boléro performed by YouTuber Minami Shimohane, playing it all by herself on oboe.
Some people might think, “Well, I could maybe manage the first half of that simple opening melody on my own,” but very few actually go through with performing it—and fewer still would upload a video to show the world.
The instrument switching looks incredibly demanding, but I’m in awe of how she handles so many instruments by herself all the way to the end.
If you’ve played an instrument, you’ll appreciate the struggle even more—so be sure to listen to this solo Boléro all the way through!
“Boléro” Maurice Ravel (conducted by the composer)Maurice Ravel/Ramurū kangen gakudan
We present a masterpiece that has enjoyed explosive popularity since its premiere.
It is characterized by a unique structure in which a single melody, set to a steady rhythm, is repeated while gradually increasing in volume.
The persistent repetition of the snare drum and the interplay of the melody among various instruments captivate listeners.
Composed in 1928 as ballet music, this piece captured many hearts with its masterful crescendo and innovative orchestration.
It is recommended not only for music enthusiasts but also for those drawn to rhythmic repetition.
A valuable recording conducted by the composer himself on January 8, 1930, still survives, allowing us to hear that historic performance today.
“Aquatarkus” from “Tarkus”Emerson Lake&Palmer
The progressive rock masterpiece “Tarkus,” renowned for its intricate arrangements and grand sense of scale, is truly captivating.
Among its highlights is a breathtaking section of the epic suite that fuses classical and rock elements.
The complex rhythmic shifts, unpredictable developments, and Emerson’s superb keyboard work weave a sonic world that overwhelms the listener.
Though instrumental, its ability to spin a narrative through music alone is remarkable.
In the final section, “Aquatarkus,” the persistent repetition of the same melody and rhythm builds to a fiery climax—so much so that calling it a progressive rock version of “Boléro” is no exaggeration.
I also recommend Takashi Yoshimatsu’s orchestral arrangement.
Performed by an orchestra, it transforms into an even more powerful prog-rock “Boléro.”