Ravel: Piano Concerto in G: II. Adagio assai // Alicia de Larrocha

Maurice Ravel's Piano Concerto in G major, was composed between 1929 and 1931. The concerto is in three movements, with a total playing time of a little over 20 minutes. Ravel said that in this piece he was not aiming to be profound but to entertain, in the manner of Mozart and Saint-Saëns. Among its other influences are jazz and Basque folk music.

The slow movement, in E major, is in 3/4 time. Ravel said of it, "That flowing phrase! How I worked over it bar by bar! It nearly killed me!" The first theme is presented by the piano, unaccompanied. Ravel said he took as his model the theme from the Larghetto of Mozart's Clarinet Quintet, but in an analysis of the work published in 2000 Michael Russ comments that whereas the Mozart melody unfolds across 20 bars, Ravel builds an even longer – 34-bar – melody, without repeating a single bar. The musicologist Michel Fleury calls the opening an "extended monologue in the style of a stately Sarabande", and remarks that it derives "its curiously hypnotic character" from the rhythmic discrepancy between the 3/4 time signature of the melody in the right hand and the 3/8 signature of the accompaniment.
[At 3:04] – the solo flute enters with a C# and oboe, clarinet and flute carry the melody into the second theme. There follows a more dissonant episode [5:14], imbued with what Fleury calls a slight sense of trepidation; the orchestra plays slowly ascending chord progressions while the piano part consists of "iridescent harmonies". The cor anglais reintroduces the opening theme beneath the piano's "delicate filigree in the high register".

[Rohio]

I can't express in words the beauty and emotions when the flute enters.. I guess that's what music is for

[hincibe]

this piece is absolutely magnificent and dreamy, which is my favorite piece by Ravel !!

[sikroboskop]

This man be putting out content faster than covid infests my body

[giuseppeagresta]

I love the fact that you just started to upload daily
It's so beautiful to see that after months of inactivity
Edit: excellent video

[lisilisin]

A wonderful composer, RAVEL, a wonderful concert, in G Major and a wonderful pianist, ALICIA DE LARROCHA !!

[PuddintameXYZ]

Nice! Another great one. Can't believe Ravel didn't write this to be profound. It's one of the most profound pieces of music ever written.

Thanks again for the hard work!

[CraigAddy]

This piece will forever remain special in my heart. Ravel failed in his attempt to entertain. I find it deeply profound. There was a special moment in my life that included this piece. This was the recording I was listening to when this happened.

Adagio by the Sea: Sandpipers and Ravel's Concerto

On a serene beach, where the gentle embrace of sand and sea merges with the air, I found a moment of profound beauty. With Ravel's Piano Concerto in G, Adagio Assai filling the air from a tape player beside me, the world seemed to stand still in anticipation. Into this scene of tranquility danced a flock of sandpipers, daring to come within no more than 6 feet of me, their movements in harmony with the rhythm of the waves. This rare closeness created a moment of connection that transcended the ordinary, weaving a tapestry of nature, music, and human presence.

This encounter, where nature's grace met human creativity, inspired me deeply. It led me to capture the essence of that day in a collagraph print, an abstract embodiment of the music and the dance that unfolded before me. This artwork is a visual symphony, a testament to the beauty that inspires my music and performances.

[scriabinismydog]

It's such a wonderful piece... The rate on which you're uploading is incredible too!

[Rohio]

Holy SHIT! I can't thank you enough for this piece! It's recent that I fell in love with Ravel concertos and to my great fortune u have finally done a video on this! Thanks a lot!!

[rampgamercracka]

It's great to see you going over some great but underappreciated masterpieces in your return to YouTube! If you are taking recommendations, the Widor flute suite is, I think, the most underappreciated piece of music ever written.

[lisztomanic]

Your last four videos honestly are probably the most delicate Synthesia videos I have watched, the quality is truly beatific and the synchronised splendidly. Thinking that you have posted this, are you intending to post the first movement? (Also, I like how most of your recording picks are beautifully engineered.)

[pengudosh]

I have been following your channel for a while now, and I want to thank you. Your videos are excellent, and brilliant at visualizing how the different instruments work together.
Ravel’s concerto in G is one of my all-time favorites, and the adagio is ridiculously beautiful.
I can imagine that these videos must take a lot of time and effort, but please keep up the good work :)

[oreodog]

Thanks for this upload. The piece means a lot to me and this is the best quality version and interpretation I've heard on here.

[italybelike]

I’m chilling so much, way better than big part of the Lo-Fi music

[mkrd]

Wow you have been making these fast and that’s amazing. So glad to see you making videos again. Thank you for your channel :)

[Danterobo]

Thank you. This one is my favourite from Ravel

[Emblazon]

Nice! This helped me review for College Entrance tests

[Gratia-A]

Best perfect version: slow, clean & no coughing ❤

[none]

Omg your back. I can't wait to see what videos you upload, you have always had the best Synthesia videos videos in terms of video and sound quality out of every other YouTuber.

[tomwheeler]

Thank you so much for making these! You are the best!