Introducing Maurice Ravel’s Famous and Representative Works

When in SpainMaurice Ravel

L’heure espagnole – Sophie Koch – Paris 2004

A one-act opera composed in 1907.

It is sometimes called “The Spanish Clock,” but the actual meaning is “Spanish Time.” The mistranslation likely arose because a large clock appears on stage.

The performance is by the Orchestre de l’Opéra National de Paris conducted by Seiji Ozawa, recorded in 2004.

TziganeMaurice Ravel

“Tzigane” de Ravel

Originally a work for violin and piano, the composer later orchestrated the piano part himself.

“Tzigane” refers to the Romani people.

It was dedicated to the Hungarian-born female violinist Jelly d’Arányi.

The Romani are found not only in Hungary but also in Spain’s Basque region, and since Ravel’s mother was a Basque from Spain, that heritage naturally finds expression in this piece.

piano trioMaurice Ravel

Ravel Piano Trio in A minor – Menuhin, Cassadó, Kentner

Composed in 1914, it consists of four distinctive movements.

The first movement, Modéré, evokes dance music from the Basque region, where the composer’s mother was from.

The second movement, Pantoum, is inspired by a Malaysian poetic form.

The third movement, Passacaille, opens with writing reminiscent of Baroque music.

In the fourth movement, Finale, orchestral effects are called for, and the parts for all three players are highly demanding.

Sonata for Violin and CelloMaurice Ravel

Sonata for Violin and Cello — Ravel, Sonate for Violin and Violoncello

Composed between 1920 and 1922.

It consists of four movements: Allegro, Very Fast, Slow, and Vivo con spirito.

The first and fourth movements also incorporate a Hungarian flavor.

Only the Allegro had already been published in 1920, as a contribution to a project commemorating Debussy, who died in 1918.

The remaining movements were later completed, forming a four-movement sonata.

Violin SonataMaurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel – Violin Sonata No.2

Composed between 1922 and 1927.

Dedicated to the close female violinist Hélène Jourdan-Morhange.

However, as she was unable to perform due to rheumatism, the premiere featured George Enescu as the soloist, with Ravel himself on piano.

Structured in three movements: following the “Allegretto,” the “Blues” incorporates elements inspired by American jazz and blues.

It concludes with “Perpetuum mobile.”

Introduction and AllegroMaurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel – Introduction & Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet & String Quartet

It is a chamber work composed in 1905.

The instrumentation is harp, flute, clarinet, and string quartet.

This unusual scoring arose because the harp manufacturer, the Érard company, commissioned the piece in hopes of popularizing the double-action pedal harp.

Consequently, the harp part includes a cadenza, and from one perspective the work can be regarded as a harp concerto with chamber ensemble accompaniment.

Mother Goose Suite, No. 5: The Fairy GardenMaurice Ravel

Ravel: Ma Mère l’Oye, 5. The Fairy Garden Pf. Mari Terada: Mari Terada

The fifth piece, The Fairy Garden, from the piano duet suite Ma mère l’Oye, is a work composed on the motif of the old European folktale Sleeping Beauty.

The moving scene in which the slumbering princess awakens with the prince’s kiss is depicted with sparkling arpeggios and harmonies that evoke hope and a bright future.

Because many notes are sounded at once, it is important to firmly grasp the chords and bring out the top note—the one you most want to highlight.

Aim for a dynamic performance without merely playing loudly; divide your practice into small sections and work carefully and meticulously.

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