Maurice Ravel, 1875-1937

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French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was a major force in the history of 20th Century music. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where his most influential teacher was the French composer G...

French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was a major force in the history of 20th Century music. He studied at the Paris Conservatoire, where his most influential teacher was the French composer Gabriel Fauré. Because of the tonal color, harmonies, mood and extra-musical associations of much of his music, Ravel is often associated with the French impressionistic composer Claude Debussy. Unlike Debussy, however, Ravel was strongly attracted to abstract, logical musical structures. His vivid, transparent orchestral colors rank him as one of the modern masters of orchestration. Ravel's impressionistic leanings are uppermost in the demanding piano suites "Miroirs" and "Gaspard de la Nuit" and in the "Rhapsodie Espagnole" for orchestra. He was gifted at evoking past eras in works such as the "Pavane pour une Infante Defunte." His stage works include the operas "L'heure Espagnole" and "L'enfant et les Sortileges"; "Bolero"; and the ballet "Daphnis et Chloe." His last major work was the "Piano Concerto in D" for the left hand, written for Viennese pianist Paul Wittgenstein, who had lost his right arm in World War I. Filmed on location in the cities and places that influenced his works.

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