Great Composers: Maurice Ravel

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A look at one of the quintessential "impressionists."

This was a viewer request from YouTuber Lauren Combs. If you've got a question or request for a future video, leave a comment, shoot me a message through YouTube, or use the email/Tumblr links below.

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Classical Nerd is a weekly video series covering music history, theoretical concepts, and techniques, hosted by composer, pianist, and music history aficionado Thomas Little.

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Music:

- Maurice Ravel: Gaspard de la Nuit (1908), performed by Ken Sasaki
- Thomas Little: Dance! #2 in E minor, Op. 1 No. 2, performed by Rachel Fellows, Michael King, and Bruce Tippette

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All images and audio in this video are for educational purposes only and are not intended as copyright infringement. If you have a copyright concern, please contact me using the above information.

[tashaschneider]

Ravel is my ABSOLUTE FAVOURITE composer, of all time! "Ondine" is chillingly beautiful!

[bradleypatterson]

Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy continue to be my inspiration. He and Debussy are both marvelous examples of individualism. Their refusal to conform to the musical traditions of their time, and fold under the ridicule of their peers and teachers, still inspire musicians and composers alike to seek their own individuality.

Ravel’s friends and colleagues would argue over which he was worse at: playing the piano or conducting.

Though Ravel was a capable pianist, he himself was not a great pianist or a virtuoso. Nonetheless, pianists still are in awe at the way Ravel’s writing for piano fits their hands perfectly. Not only that, despite the critique of his lack of virtuosity from friends and colleagues, the majority of his piano works are difficult and demand virtuosity. Ravel may not have been a skilled conductor, yet he is held in high regard as a master of orchestration.

Ravel once lamented that he was not one of the greats. He stated that the greats produced enormously, and that both good and bad were among their productions. Nonetheless, he stated they still had quantity - something he lamented.

Although Ravel’s catalog of works do not measure up to the likes of Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, etc. One can easily say that all of Ravel’s works are known and still performed to this day. Not one composition is bad, and all are intricately written, and are gems of perfection. Ravel is indeed a lesson in quality over quantity.

[gemmahudack]

Ravel's music is one of the most beautiful things I have ever heard. I definitely think that Jeux D'eau and Ondine definitely explore the most tonal colors of piano music while not sacrificing a fabulous melody.

[mohhingman]

Ravel is my favourite composer. His harmonic language is so tasty.

[fcamiola]

Very nice video - thank you. Ravel is one of my absolute favorite composers - no doubt in the top 5, possibly top 3. Genius!

[Grisostomo]

Thank you for posting this. Everything Ravel composed is gold in my opinion. I often listen to his piano works when I'm hiking. Great choice of background music.

[harryvandenberg]

At that time several composers won the 'Prix de Rome' but their names died, but Ravel never won that price because of the conservativ people of the Paris conservatoir. Later on they saw their mistake and wanted to give him that prise after all, but Ravel refused it. Great!

[bilz]

Boléro is simply unmatched by anyone to this day. I have probably a dozen renditions of it, and I feel like I'm still always finding new things in its hypnotic repetitions.

[retiredmusiceducator]

I introduced the kids to his Bolero today - and so now, as I found this one, this is a good follow-up! Of course, thanks, as always!

[laurenravel]

I'm so happy! This just made my day!!! Thank you so much😃😃

[MikePulcinellaVideo]

Very much enjoy your deep dives into composers

[charlesdavis]

Beautifully done! Thank you for your musical insights. Sincerely.

[benjammin]

Awesome summary thank you! I'm going through his works, incredible

[gigiravel]

I was looking for this . Thank you so much

[Teddy_Toto]

Wonderful biography!
Why are so many of my heroes in music expelled or rejected from the prestigious academies/conservatories of the times?

[KuroiPK]

An quite interesting person, I often forget the person behind the work. (I'm probably just way too focus with my and others work that I often forget). I'm really calm that you remind me about it.

[pianomanhere]

"Gaspard de la Nuit" was one of the most difficult pieces I ever had to learn. (I think that the "Scarbo" movement gave me temperomandibular joint dysfunction for a while...lol). Also, it was a joy to hear "Gaspard" as the background music in your video. By the way, much of Sorabji's piano music blows the challenges of "Scarbo" right out of the water. Scarbo is not the most difficult piano piece although it IS very very challenging.

[Musicandcatsmeow]

Love love Ravel ❤️love singing his art songs so so much 🙌 he and Debussy both discovered the gamelan 🌷so happy you talked about all of the amazing composers and musicians

[wrongdonedoings]

i just found your videos!, and they are so good, new subscriber over here!

[risboturbide]

Great video, man! I'm new to classical music, but glad I've found your channel to binge-hear. Cheers, man! 🍻🍻