Maurice Ravel Popular Songs Ranking [2026]

“Boléro” Maurice Ravel (conducted by the composer)Maurice Ravel/Ramurū kangen gakudan91rank/position

Ravel: Boléro Conducted by Ravel (1930) – Ravel Boléro self-conducted

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.

「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/Roshia Borishoi Kōkyō Gakudan Nishimoto Tomomi Shiki92rank/position

Ravel: Bolero — Tomomi Nishimoto & the Russian Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra (Conductor: Tomomi Nishimoto)

Tomomi Nishimoto, who is currently drawing attention as one of the most charming female conductors in the world.

There are scenes of her performing with the Russian Bolshoi Symphony Orchestra.

Reactions will vary, but within a very relaxed, composed atmosphere, there are rounded tones scattered throughout—it might be a Boléro that makes you want to hear it in Russia.

In my personal opinion, the snare drummer is producing a really great sound!

「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/Shimohane Minami Ōboe Maruchipurēyā MINAMI93rank/position

Boléro Ravel multi-instrumentalist; one-person Boléro; Ravel; doubling; oboe multi-player MINAMI; Boléro by one person

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!

「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/Tomita Isao94rank/position

ISAO TOMITA BOLERO

Isao Tomita is both a great Japanese arranger and a synthesizer performer.

Born in 1932, he gained international recognition from a very young age as a synthesizer player and a pioneering composer of electronic music, earning high praise and popularity overseas from early on.

This work dates from 1979.

As is true of Tomita’s output in general, his use of timbre and the expressive nuance of each individual note embody both an artistic sensibility and a highly sophisticated understanding and realization of techniques that evoke vast worlds in sound.

In this Boléro as well, it is far more than a simple transposition of Ravel’s piece onto synthesizers; an entirely different artistic dimension is added.

It presents the world of Ravel’s Boléro in a way that is completely unlike the classical Boléro.

「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/yamashita yousuke95rank/position

Yosuke Yamashita performs Boléro at his alma mater

Yosuke Yamashita, one of Japan’s most renowned jazz pianists.

When this maverick performs Maurice Ravel’s Boléro on piano, it transforms into something this captivating.

This rendition was played on the spot during a talk he gave at his alma mater, Setagaya Municipal Higashi-Ohara Elementary School, on April 15, 2012.

Boléro is sometimes said to be based on a form that evolves through improvisation, and there may be something in that which resonates with Yamashita’s playing style.

Though performed not in a concert hall but on a school piano in a gymnasium, it is a masterful performance.

「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/Oshio Kōtarō96rank/position

Kotaro Oshio / Bolero

As you might imagine, given that it originated as a dance and was influenced by Spanish music, this melody pairs exceptionally well with the guitar and makes for a beautifully engaging piece.

Here is a bolero performed on acoustic guitar by Kotaro Oshio, a Japanese actor as well as a musician.

For those who know him only as an actor or TV personality, the richness of his tone may be astonishing.

Please give it a listen!

Piano Version of “Boléro”Maurice Ravel/kakuno hayato97rank/position

Hayato Sumino – Ravel: Boléro

This ambitious work features Hayato Sumino, known as Cateen, expressing Maurice Ravel’s signature masterpiece Boléro as a solo piano piece.

It’s a bold attempt to recreate the orchestra’s diverse timbres on a single piano, brilliantly portraying the journey from a quiet introduction to an explosive climax through delicate touch and a rich palette of tone.

Showcasing Sumino’s exceptional technique and musicality, this piece is recommended not only for classical music fans but also for anyone interested in the possibilities of the piano.

Pictures at an Exhibition: The Great Gate of Kiev (arr. Ravel)Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel98rank/position

Suite 'Pictures at an Exhibition': The Great Gate of Kiev

When it comes to music perfect for an awards ceremony, the final movement of the work composed by Mussorgsky as a piano piece and later orchestrated by the French composer Maurice Ravel comes to mind.

It’s characterized by a majestic, powerful sound, evoking the vivid sensation of a grand gate appearing before you.

Inspired by a memorial exhibition of a friend’s works, this piece musically depicts a stroll through an art gallery.

Since Ravel orchestrated it in 1922, it has become a popular piece performed worldwide.

The opulent orchestral sonorities are ideal for honoring award recipients.

It’s also been used in films and commercials, so many of you have likely heard it.

Suite ‘Pictures at an Exhibition’: Promenade I (Ravel orchestration)Modest Petrovich Mussorgsky/Maurice Ravel99rank/position

Mussorgsky: Pictures at an Exhibition – Promenade I (orchestrated by Ravel) [Naxos Classical Curations #Gorgeous]

Opening with an elegant string ensemble, this piece creates the perfect atmosphere for an awards ceremony.

Maurice Ravel, the French composer, brilliantly orchestrated Modest Mussorgsky’s piano suite—originally composed in memory of a painter friend’s memorial exhibition.

The music, which symbolizes the anticipation and emotion of a visitor strolling through a gallery, is ideal for expressing the bright, uplifting feelings of the award recipients.

Orchestrated in 1922, this work has since been performed by many conductors and cherished around the world.

It’s a popular piece frequently used in commercials and films, so many people may have heard it outside of award ceremonies as well.

With its blend of grandeur and splendor, this piece is a wonderful choice to honor the achievements of the recipients.

「Bolero」Maurice RavelMaurice Ravel/Docomo ofisharu (Dokomo torihikisaki & Dokomo) NTT Dokomo daihyō torishimariyaku shachō Yoshizawa Kazuhiro shiki100rank/position

You might recognize it from TV.

NTT Docomo created a Maurice Ravel opera on the spot using a variety of sounds—vegetables, cooking noises, mobile phone sounds, shutter clicks, drones, bicycles, Wonder Core (ab workouts), applause, conversation, footsteps, and more.

I used to think they only offered mobile and communication services, but to ensure this level of communication quality and to provide various services, they collaborate and work with many partners.

At the end of the video, you’ll see credits for all the performers.