homeI thought we might start this beautiful day with some beautiful music!
Maurice Ravel (1875 - 1937) French composer of Impressionist music.
Born in the Basque area of France (near Spain), his family moved to Paris when he was 3 months old. Maurice began piano lessons at the age of 6 and was composing by the age of 12. His first public piano recital was at the age of 14.
Maurice Ravel was not your typical wild bohemian as many artists at the time were; rather he dressed like a dandy and was aloof, focusing on his music. He was so structured that Stravinsky referred to him as the "Swiss Watchmaker". His sexuality is a mystery, he is not known to ever have had an intimate relationship. Ravel said, "The only love affair I have ever had was with music".
A contemporary of Claude Debussy (see my blog), and great friend, his String Quartet in F is modeled after Debussy's Quartet. It is brilliant and I adore a good piece of chamber music.
String Quartet in F
Ravel wrote a ballet called Daphnis et Chloe. It took him three years! Worth the wait as Stravinsky called it "one of the most beautiful products of all French music". The project pushed Ravel into bad health and he took a break from music for several years.
Daphnis et Chloe - Suite Number 2 (Daybreak)
In 1928, Ravel toured America to great success. He met American composer George Gershwin and went to Harlem with him to listen to Duke Ellington. He also stopped over in New Orleans where he listened to jazz, causing him to include jazz elements in his later work.
His mother's Spanish culture had a great influence over his music as can be seen in Bolero. Shortly after his return from America, he composed what is most likely his most famous piece.
Bolero
Gros bisous de la musique Impressionniste et a demain!
Love, Charley
p.s. One of my constant readers over on my facebook page sent me this amazing youtube of
p.s. One of my constant readers over on my facebook page sent me this amazing youtube of
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