Maurice Ravel Flashcards
What effect did the World Paris Exposition have on Ravel at age 14?
He encountered diverse international music that deeply inspired his compositional style for years to come
what is the significance of Menuet antique, and what is it?
Ravel’s first published work, it is a piano solo
Name a famous teacher that Ravel had.
was accepted into an advanced composition class by Gabriel Faure
What failure did Ravel experience even after multiple attempts?
He failed to win the Prix de Rome, despite his popularity and renown
Describe “Les Apaches”
“The ruffians”: a group of progressive, like-minded artists whom Ravel was part of, including Ricardo Vines and Erik Satie.
What major life hurdle hit Ravel at age 42, and how did he handle it?
His mother’s death was very challenging and slowed his creative output. He dedicated piano work Le tombeau de Couperin in her memory and to friends who perished during the war.
What major award did Ravel reject, and on what basis?
The Chevalier of the Legion of Honor (one of the highest awards bestowed by the French government for outstanding achievement) was rejected by Ravel because he felt it was rude that they were so late awarding it to him.
Ravel befriended another well-known composer from a different country/continent. Who was it?
George Gershwin became a friend of Ravel’s on his visit to the US.
Describe Ravel’s harmonic language
tonal, but marked by chromaticism
Name three Impressionist elements in Ravel’s work
parallel chord streams, unresolved seventh and ninth chords, use of unusual scales (modes, pentatonic, whole tone).
What neo-classical elements are evident in Ravel’s works?
lean textures, contrapuntal writing, traditional forms
How did Ravel’s Basque heritage influence his music?
He wrote Spanish inspired works such as opera The Spanish Hour
How did Ravel’s friendship with Ricardo Vines influence his music?
inspired highly virtuosic works: Gaspard de la nuit (one of the most difficult pieces in the piano repertoire).
How would you describe Ravel’s personality, and how is it gleaned in his work?
he had a sense of humor and childlike charm, evident in works like opera L’enfant et les sortileges
Name a ballet commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev
Daphnis et Chloe
