Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel 1925

Ravel-and-parents

Classe Bériot 1895

Fauré-by-Eugéne-Pirou

Debussy-Nadar-1905

Lenepveu-Dubois

Maurice Ravel (7 March 1875 – 28 December 1937) was a French composer, pianist, and conductor. He is often associated with Impressionism in music, alongside his elder contemporary Claude Debussy, although both composers rejected the term. In the 1920s and 1930s, Ravel was internationally regarded as France's greatest living composer.

Born to a music-loving family in the Basque town of Ciboure, France, Ravel was admitted to the Conservatoire de Paris at the age of 14. He initially studied piano, but his interest soon shifted to composition. Despite a scandalous failure to win the top prize in composition, the Prix de Rome, his early works, such as the piano piece Jeux d'eau and the string quartet, established his reputation as a leading composer of his era.

Ravel's music is notable for its melodic beauty, exquisite orchestration, and innovative harmonies. His works often reflect a wide range of influences, including Baroque music, American Jazz, and Asian music, which he encountered during his tours around the world. Among his most famous compositions are the orchestral work Boléro, which achieved sensational success in the 1920s; the ballet Daphnis et Chloé; and the piano suite Gaspard de la nuit. His piano music, chamber music, and vocal music also hold significant places in the concert repertoire.

Ravel's later years were shadowed by declining health. After a failed brain surgery intended to correct a condition diagnosed as Pick's disease, he died in Paris at the age of 62. Today, Ravel is celebrated for his profound impact on 20th-century music, his works continuing to be performed and recorded extensively.

Life

Early Years

Maurice Ravel was born in Ciboure, a small French Basque village, to a Swiss father and a Basque mother. His family moved to Paris shortly after his birth. Ravel displayed an early interest in music and began piano lessons at the age of seven. His parents encouraged his musical talents, and by the age of 14, he was admitted to the prestigious Conservatoire de Paris.

Career

At the Conservatoire, Ravel was a student of Gabriel Fauré, who greatly influenced his development as a composer. Despite his talent, Ravel's unconventional style often clashed with the conservative tastes of the institution. His failure to win the Prix de Rome, despite multiple attempts, caused a public scandal and led to reforms at the Conservatoire.

Ravel's career flourished in the early 20th century, with works such as Jeux d'eau and his String Quartet gaining him recognition. He served in the French Army during World War I, an experience that deeply affected him and influenced his later compositions.

Later Years and Death

After the war, Ravel continued to compose and tour internationally. However, his health began to decline in the 1920s. He suffered from a mysterious neurological condition that impaired his ability to speak and perform complex tasks. Despite seeking medical help, his condition worsened, leading to his death in 1937.

Music

Ravel's compositions are characterized by their rich harmonic language, intricate melodies, and meticulous orchestration. He was a master of orchestration, as evidenced by his orchestral arrangement of Modest Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. Ravel's music often incorporates elements of jazz and exoticism, reflecting his interest in diverse musical traditions.

Notable Works

• Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) for piano (1899), later orchestrated
• Ma mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) for piano duet (1910), later orchestrated as a ballet
• Gaspard de la nuit for piano (1908)
• Daphnis et Chloé ballet (1912)
• Boléro for orchestra (1928)

Legacy

Maurice Ravel is remembered as one of the most significant and influential composers of the early 20th century. His innovative approach to composition, orchestration, and harmony has had a lasting impact on the development of classical music. Ravel's works continue to be celebrated for their technical mastery, emotional depth, and aesthetic beauty.