Beautiful selections as always. Le tombeau is one of my favorite pieces. I love the richer orchestral version but the piano is very personal in its own way. I didn’t know the circumstances that led Ravel to compose this, so thank you so much for your essay, Michael. It makes listening to it so much more meaningful. Have a great day!
I’m so glad this essay has helped expand your experience with Le tombeau, Anne. I too love both versions — the solo piano offers an intimate, austere reverence, while the orchestral version adds such radiance to Ravel’s celebration of life.
Always a treat to hear Ravel, a particular favourite of mine, and I was fascinated to hear details of his life of which I was unaware. Incredibly brave, especially being so frail, but still determined to do his bit during wartime. So moved to hear of the origin of Le Tombeau de Couperin. I think I like the orchestral version best 💙
Thanks, Jules! Ravel’s desire to serve in the war effort was indeed an act of incredible bravery. Aside from the health issues, he was 39 at the time — twice as old as many of the soldiers being sent to the front lines. It’s inspiring to me that, despite the horrors he witnessed, the war didn’t diminish his love of life and dance and radiant musical colors. 💙
Dear me, that’s incredible. He must have had a very unique turn of mind. He must have been very strong indeed despite his slight appearance.
If I remember rightly I think he had one Swiss parent and one Spanish? I always fancy I can hear both nationalities in the music, sometimes the warmth, sometimes the snow. Probably my imagination but it keeps me happy! 😆
You’re absolutely right! Ravel’s father was from a town on the French/Swiss border, and his mother was Basque and raised in Madrid. (I believe that’s where the pair met as well.)
Ravel was born and raised in Basque Country, and he felt a lifelong connection to the region’s folk music and culture. (The first movement of his Piano Trio is based on the rhythm of a favorite Basque dance of his.)
I love how you juxtapose music of heat and snow — that’s such a perfect encapsulation of Ravel’s work. 💙
Oh don’t make me choose!! The orchestral version is breathtaking, but something about the piano version—for being an homage to the 18th century, it sounds so modern, ahead of its time perhaps, like jazz. So you know me, I went into my rabbit hole and learned about Ravel’s love of and influence on jazz.. Miles Davis even mentioned his Dorian mode nod to Ravel on Kind of Blue. A melancholy but hopeful sound that paints a quiet celebration of his fallen brethren. Fascinating!!
It's an impossible decision, right?! I can't help but be awed by the intimacy and immediacy of the piano version — and you're absolutely right, there's such a modern, almost bluesy sound to parts of this menuet.
Ravel was captivated by the sounds of American jazz that made their way to Parisian nightclubs in the 1920s. He even tried his hand at a bit of blues in his second sonata for violin and piano:
In the fall of 1927, Ravel made his only journey across the Atlantic to NYC, where he and George Gershwin went club hopping through all of Harlem's best jazz spots — including the Cotton Club and Savory Ballroom. The inspiration from that trip led to another incredible work of his ... which will make an appearance on Shades of Blue this summer. 😍💙
This one sounds fresh, just fun and inventive! And the plucking strings brings me WAY back to the only Ravel I’m familiar with (outside of SOB* of course): String Quartet in F Major 2nd Mvt from Royal Tenenbaums 😂
But to be a fly on the walls of CC and Savoy, right?! I can’t wait to hear the inspiration!
*How did it take me this long to discover such a perfect acronym for your substack?!
OMG, I forgot about the use of Ravel's quartet in TRT! (That means it's time for a rewatch.)
And I can't tell you how much I laughed when I realized (several weeks after choosing Shades of Blue as my newsletter's name) that the acronym spelled SOB. 😭
Ack I missed this comment!! I haven't seen TRT in sooooo long but it was favorite film (along with Magnolia) back in those late-and-post-college hipster days!! Def time for a rewatch!
Beautiful selections as always. Le tombeau is one of my favorite pieces. I love the richer orchestral version but the piano is very personal in its own way. I didn’t know the circumstances that led Ravel to compose this, so thank you so much for your essay, Michael. It makes listening to it so much more meaningful. Have a great day!
I’m so glad this essay has helped expand your experience with Le tombeau, Anne. I too love both versions — the solo piano offers an intimate, austere reverence, while the orchestral version adds such radiance to Ravel’s celebration of life.
Thanks for being here! 💙
Always a treat to hear Ravel, a particular favourite of mine, and I was fascinated to hear details of his life of which I was unaware. Incredibly brave, especially being so frail, but still determined to do his bit during wartime. So moved to hear of the origin of Le Tombeau de Couperin. I think I like the orchestral version best 💙
Thanks, Michael!
Thanks, Jules! Ravel’s desire to serve in the war effort was indeed an act of incredible bravery. Aside from the health issues, he was 39 at the time — twice as old as many of the soldiers being sent to the front lines. It’s inspiring to me that, despite the horrors he witnessed, the war didn’t diminish his love of life and dance and radiant musical colors. 💙
Dear me, that’s incredible. He must have had a very unique turn of mind. He must have been very strong indeed despite his slight appearance.
If I remember rightly I think he had one Swiss parent and one Spanish? I always fancy I can hear both nationalities in the music, sometimes the warmth, sometimes the snow. Probably my imagination but it keeps me happy! 😆
You’re absolutely right! Ravel’s father was from a town on the French/Swiss border, and his mother was Basque and raised in Madrid. (I believe that’s where the pair met as well.)
Ravel was born and raised in Basque Country, and he felt a lifelong connection to the region’s folk music and culture. (The first movement of his Piano Trio is based on the rhythm of a favorite Basque dance of his.)
I love how you juxtapose music of heat and snow — that’s such a perfect encapsulation of Ravel’s work. 💙
I think my favourite is Alborada del Gracioso. Definitely towards the Spanish side, that one. Just gorgeous.
Wow wow, love this Michael! Coming back for a deeper listen. Love all the connections.
Glad you enjoyed, Kate — hope all is well in SE London!
Oh don’t make me choose!! The orchestral version is breathtaking, but something about the piano version—for being an homage to the 18th century, it sounds so modern, ahead of its time perhaps, like jazz. So you know me, I went into my rabbit hole and learned about Ravel’s love of and influence on jazz.. Miles Davis even mentioned his Dorian mode nod to Ravel on Kind of Blue. A melancholy but hopeful sound that paints a quiet celebration of his fallen brethren. Fascinating!!
It's an impossible decision, right?! I can't help but be awed by the intimacy and immediacy of the piano version — and you're absolutely right, there's such a modern, almost bluesy sound to parts of this menuet.
Ravel was captivated by the sounds of American jazz that made their way to Parisian nightclubs in the 1920s. He even tried his hand at a bit of blues in his second sonata for violin and piano:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVflgRqCfTU&ab_channel=JanineJansen-Topic
In the fall of 1927, Ravel made his only journey across the Atlantic to NYC, where he and George Gershwin went club hopping through all of Harlem's best jazz spots — including the Cotton Club and Savory Ballroom. The inspiration from that trip led to another incredible work of his ... which will make an appearance on Shades of Blue this summer. 😍💙
This one sounds fresh, just fun and inventive! And the plucking strings brings me WAY back to the only Ravel I’m familiar with (outside of SOB* of course): String Quartet in F Major 2nd Mvt from Royal Tenenbaums 😂
But to be a fly on the walls of CC and Savoy, right?! I can’t wait to hear the inspiration!
*How did it take me this long to discover such a perfect acronym for your substack?!
OMG, I forgot about the use of Ravel's quartet in TRT! (That means it's time for a rewatch.)
And I can't tell you how much I laughed when I realized (several weeks after choosing Shades of Blue as my newsletter's name) that the acronym spelled SOB. 😭
Ack I missed this comment!! I haven't seen TRT in sooooo long but it was favorite film (along with Magnolia) back in those late-and-post-college hipster days!! Def time for a rewatch!