Introducing Maurice Ravel’s Famous and Representative Works
Maurice Ravel, one of the most important figures in Impressionist music.
His works are meticulously crafted down to the finest details, grounded firmly in classical forms while blending in Impressionist expression.
As a result, his music has a uniquely singular character that only he could create.
He also arranged works by other composers for orchestra, and his outstanding orchestration earned him the nicknames “genius of orchestration” and “magician of the orchestra.”
In this article, we introduce Ravel’s masterpieces and signature works.
Even if you’re not familiar with classical music, there are pieces you have probably heard somewhere at least once.
Enjoy the many wonderful masterpieces of Ravel!
- Masterpieces of the bolero. Recommended popular pieces in bolero form and outstanding performances.
- [Masterpiece Classics] A special showcase of gem-like masterpieces so beautiful they’ll move you to tears
- Debussy’s masterpiece. Popular classical music.
- Timelessly beautiful classical masterpieces. Recommended classical music.
- Gabriel Fauré | Introduction to His Famous and Representative Works
- [Orchestra] Introducing famous and popular pieces
- Masterpieces of Ballet Music: Introducing Classic Favorites
- Impressionist Music: A Comprehensive Introduction to Masterpieces of the Impressionist Movement That Enliven Classical Music History
- [François Couperin] Introducing famous and popular pieces by the composer who loved the harpsichord
- Mendelssohn’s Masterpieces | Popular Classical Music
- [For Advanced Players] A Curated Selection of Classical Masterpieces to Tackle at Piano Recitals
- Rachmaninoff’s masterpieces. Recommended pieces by Rachmaninoff.
- [Impressionist Music] A Selection of Classical Works That Evoke the Japanese Spirit
[Maurice Ravel] Introducing Famous and Representative Works (71–80)
Sonatina, Movement IIMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel is a French composer famous for works such as Boléro and Pavane for a Dead Princess.
Composed in 1903, this piece is a piano work in three movements, with the second movement in particular renowned for its beauty.
The world of sound woven from elegant dance rhythms and Ravel’s distinctive impressionistic harmonies makes you feel as if you are dreaming.
With its meticulous structure and rich expressiveness, this work is recommended not only for classical music fans but also for anyone who wants to bask in an elegant atmosphere.
Ravel himself is said to have enjoyed performing it, and it is full of allure that leaves a deep impression on listeners’ hearts.
Ballet music “Daphnis and Chloé” Suite No. 2Maurice Ravel
Ballet music composed by the French composer Ravel.
It was written based on the pastoral novel Daphnis and Chloe by the ancient Greek writer Longus, dating from around the 2nd–3rd century.
The novel is set on the island of Lesbos and tells the story of the shepherd boy Daphnis and his beloved, Chloe.
Please enjoy Ravel’s fantastical and beautiful world!
From the ballet music Ma mère l’Oye: 5. The Fairy GardenMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel, one of France’s foremost composers, excelled at expressing in music the world of fairy tales that stirs childhood memories and the imagination.
In particular, his piano four-hands suite Ma mère l’Oye, composed between 1908 and 1910 and inspired by works such as Charles Perrault’s Tales of Mother Goose, is a characteristically delicate and richly colored creation.
The fifth movement, The Fairy Garden, is marked by a beautiful melody befitting the suite’s finale.
The sensuous timbre of the violin evokes the story’s climax, drawing listeners into a fairy-tale realm.
Suggestive of a scene from Sleeping Beauty, this movement radiates a brilliant, fantastical glow worthy of a finale, making it an ideal recommendation even for those new to Ravel’s music.
PreludeMaurice Ravel
The Prelude is known for its unusual backstory: it was composed for a sight-reading examination at the Paris Conservatoire.
The Conservatoire is the alma mater of Maurice Ravel, and it’s said that his 14 years studying there alongside renowned composers such as Erik Satie had a profound impact on his career as a composer.
Although this piece is a short work of only 27 measures, its rapid key changes and frequent accidentals make the reading quite challenging.
Once you get past that hurdle, the overall character is relaxed and not technically difficult, so be patient and persistent in your score study—don’t let the reading trip you up!
Boléro with Japanese musical instruments and Nihon buyō (Japanese classical dance)Maurice Ravel
It is a masterpiece whose unique structure begins quietly and gradually builds in intensity.
With traditional Japanese instruments—such as koto, shakuhachi, and taiko—and Japanese dance, it offers a new interpretation of Maurice Ravel’s Boléro.
The repeated rhythms and melodies express the passage of time and changes within the human spirit, embodying the theme of the phoenix’s rebirth.
Since its premiere in December 2021, it has continued to captivate many people, surpassing 100,000 views on YouTube.
Highly recommended for those interested in the fusion of classical music and traditional Japanese performing arts.
Gaspard de la nuit, No. 3: ScarboMaurice Ravel
The masterpiece Gaspard de la nuit by the great French composer Maurice Ravel is an exquisitely beautiful work based on three poems.
I believe its difficulty lies above all in expression.
Of course, it is also technically demanding; in particular, the third piece, Scarbo, requires a level of virtuosity that Ravel himself said surpassed Balakirev’s Islamey.
But beyond that, simply playing the notes does not make it true music—you must perform it with a firm understanding of the work’s deeper intent.
It is therefore a piece of exceptionally high difficulty if you aim to sustain a high level of expressiveness while playing.
It also readily reflects the individual characteristics of each performer, so I encourage you to compare multiple interpretations.
Piano Concerto in D major for the Left HandMaurice Ravel
Maurice Ravel, the French composer who brought the world numerous masterpieces such as Pavane for a Dead Princess, Jeux d’eau, and Rapsodie espagnole.
The work he wrote for Paul Wittgenstein, an Austrian-born pianist who lost his right arm in the war, is this Concerto for the Left Hand.
Many later pianists who perform with the left hand alone have also embraced this piece, and it is known as a work that holds a highly important place among piano compositions for left hand only.
The mere fact that he composed a piano concerto in the early 1930s that incorporates influences from jazz and blues is remarkable, but one cannot help but marvel at how freely and dramatically the music expresses itself through a wide array of techniques using only the left hand.
As the piece drives toward its climax, the melody sounds almost impossible to believe is played with just the left hand.
It’s a work that cannot be performed without considerable skill, so if you’re an advanced player looking to push the expressive power of your left hand to its absolute limits, by all means give it a try.
