Ravel plays his Pavane pour une infante defunte

Pavane pour une infante defunte
for English, Pavanne for a dead princess

[chrisradford]

To hear the composer play his composition is indeed a joy.

[sebastianboeddinghaus]

Wow what a master, he can just sit still - not even touching the keyboard - and play this masterpiece

[m.a.]

What I've learned from this recording is that the composer truly does have more insight than anyone else. Ravel emphasised a lot of the inner voicings rather than "main melody" which a lot of pianists tend to neglect. Examples: 1:28 - 1:30, 4:15 - 4:19.

He also arpeggiated a lot of the chords rather than play it straight, keeping the sound very flowy and ethereal. Plus THAT ENDING! Pianists usually play it earsplittingly loud, whereas he simply faded out ever-so-gently. God bless Ravel.

[aldoringo]

The way he deals with the dissonance is incredible - its like his own language that no one else can understand

[bobloblaw]

it sounds like looking through the room and personal belongings of the dead princess--seeing her photos and smelling her perfumes. knowing she is gone, but experiencing her memory.

[sweetpeaon]

It's actually crazy how much he got out of the piano. Ravel was more expressive playing this piece than any orchestra I've heard playing it. And he definitely didn't play a "dead pavane", this is a good pace and he doesn't try to make it more emotional by slowing it down. If it's played too slow it's music for a funeral procession, not a dance after the funeral.

[raycaruso]

My mother once told me Ravel was my great-grandfather's favorite composer. I used to think his music was a bit boring, but now that I have grown mature myself I love it!

[nish]

Yes, Ravel recorded this on a roll. Although he is reputed to have called for this to be played vary slowly, this is actually faster than several modern recordings. Still that takes nothing away from this piece. Truly one of the masterpieces.

[kathrynxu]

What a different interpretation! The pianist certainly has a bigger view on death, separation and departure. He didn’t stick in a sorrow loop and magnifying those emotions, he jumped out of it, seeing it from above or as a person who lived it through. Seeing the matter with wit. He made it light.

[pascaleanthon-dao]

Poignante interprétation par l'auteur de ce chef d'oeuvre.

[StudSupreme]

Yeah, the original composer always expresses a piece they've written with a subtlety that cannot be equaled by even the best musician or conductor.
I feel blessed to be able to hear this. Thanks to whoever posted this recording.

[Hailey_Paige_]

I always come back to this version. I love the way Ravel plays (I’m aware this is a piano roll, but this is the closest we’ll ever get to hearing Ravel himself playing in this life). The colors are vibrant. The tempo isn’t too slow—or a “dead Pavane” as Ravel himself said once when critiquing a performance he heard from a student. The way he arpeggiates most of the chords brings out more of the inner voices. The harmonies weave so well together. I’ve seen plenty of comments here saying this interpretation is too fast. I feel this is perfect—representing the princess dancing freely, rather than coming off as a funeral march.

There’s a piano roll recording of Ravel’s “Le Gibet” from Gaspard de la Nuit, along with “La Valleé des Cloches” from his Miroirs Suite. Both are beautifully-crafted, graceful, dreamy performances, but “La Valleé des Cloches” especially gives me goosebumps and can get me teary-eyed at times. I beg to differ when people say Ravel wasn’t a good performer. Granted, Ravel held that view about himself as well, but he was also very self-critical anyway. 🤷🏻‍♀️ Still. I’ve never heard a piece of his that I haven’t fallen in love with. Even Bolero, as repetitive as that is. 😂 Ravel is my favorite composer—by far. ❤️🎼

[harisaro]

I am getting goosebumps listening to RAVEL playing this mystical sad piece. Thanks to the publisher.

[sheihui]

As a person who rarely plays pieces from 20th century, I couldn't be more glad to hear the composer's to play his own piece! Indeed a masterpiece!

[lynnaridgeway]

I always thought that he was asked to compose a song for a real child princess that died.
The song has so much meaningful sound.

[Griwhoolda]

I love that the chords changes and moving melodic lines are not olibterated by over-pedalling! So distinct!

[catherinepeet]

This composition is so wonderfully breathtaking. There's something about it that is just so painful and haunting but in the most subtle way.

[WhatIsXSix]

Ravel's playing this piece seems to me to evoke a music box and, yes, even the little twirling ballerina on the top. Even with that, I always weep.

[marcdeckard]

He was a master of clarity and expression on that instrument.

[picksalot]

Sublime. I heard lines I'd never heard before. What an enchanting performance! Thanks