[Easier Level] Ravel’s Piano Pieces | A curated selection of easier works you can play smoothly!
Maurice Ravel was a French composer who produced works across a wide range of genres, including solo piano pieces, piano concertos, operas, ballet music, and chamber music.
Known as an “Impressionist” composer who emphasized mood and atmosphere over dramatic elements, he is widely loved for his delicate and graceful style, as if translating a painting into music.
In this article, we introduce piano works by Ravel that are relatively accessible and easier to approach.
Ravel’s pieces are perfect for those who want to refine their delicate touch and expressive nuance.
By all means, start by trying the pieces that speak to your heart.
- Piano Masterpieces: Surprisingly Easy Despite Sounding Difficult!? A Curated Selection Perfect for Recitals
- Lower difficulty: Not as hard as it sounds!? Debussy’s piano pieces
- [Beginner-Friendly] Rachmaninoff’s Piano Pieces | A Curated Selection of Accessible Works!
- [Fauré] Lower Difficulty! Recommended Piano Pieces by a Master of French Music
- [Intermediate Level] A curated selection of piano masterpieces featuring strikingly brilliant melodies!
- [Impressionism] A Curated Selection of Colorful Piano Masterpieces — Debussy & Ravel
- [For Adults] Recommended for Piano Recitals! A Curated Selection of Impressively Sounding Masterpieces
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- Brahms Piano Pieces | A Curated Selection of Easier, Beginner-Friendly Works
- Beginner-friendly: Easily playable Mendelssohn piano pieces. Recommended piano works.
- [For Intermediate Players] Challenge Yourself! Recommended Masterpieces That Shine at Piano Recitals
- Masterpieces of classical piano that are too beautiful for words. A gathering of delicate tones that cleanse the soul.
- [Classical Music] All pieces under 3 minutes! A collection of short and cool piano pieces
[Easier Level] Ravel’s Piano Pieces | A Curated Selection of Easier, Light-to-Play Works (21–30)
Berceuse on the Name of FauréMaurice Ravel
Composed in 1922 at the request of a Parisian monthly music magazine for a special issue dedicated to composer Gabriel Fauré, Berceuse on the Name of Fauré was originally written for piano and violin.
The piece is built on a motif that replaces the twelve letters in Fauré’s name with corresponding musical notes.
A succession of unstable chords gives the feeling of being led into a mysterious world, which might throw you into a panic when sight-reading! However, it has a curious charm that somehow becomes comforting as you practice.
Let’s do our best to push through the challenges of reading the score.
Le Tombeau de Couperin, No. 3: ForlaneMaurice Ravel
The third piece from Maurice Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin, composed as a memorial to friends who died in World War I.
Each of the six movements was written in memory of a different person, and this third movement is dedicated to a lieutenant who was a Basque painter.
“Forlane” is a classical dance of North Italian origin, marked “somewhat lively” in tempo, yet the music exudes an elegant atmosphere.
Aim for a spirited performance by clearly articulating the dotted rhythms and grace notes that evoke the character of a dance.
In conclusion
From the piano works of the French composer Maurice Ravel—renowned for their beautiful, subtle, gradient-like nuances—we have introduced pieces that are relatively accessible and easier to tackle.
That said, Ravel’s works are generally demanding; even when the technical difficulty isn’t extreme, many pieces are challenging to read.
Start by taking your time with the score, and gradually familiarize yourself with Ravel’s pianistic style and sound world without rushing.
Once you truly master a piece and can play it with ease, those around you will surely be impressed.
Consider adding one to your repertoire.