Masterpieces of the bolero. Recommended popular pieces in bolero form and outstanding performances.

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.