Maurice Ravel: A 150th Celebration
The music of Maurice Ravel is unmistakable for its whimsical spirit, vivid colors, and extraordinary craftsmanship. Born 150 years ago, he began his career as a renegade against the French musical establishment, failing to win the essential Prix de Rome five times in a scandal called l'affaire Ravel. Some of his works are associated with musical Impressionism, a term borrowed from late 19th-century painting, but others are sharper-edged—as much influenced by Spanish dance and American blues and jazz. During the First World War, he served as soldier in the French Army, after which he gave up Roaring Twenties Paris for a more solitary life in a small town. In 1928, he was enticed to tour the United States, meeting George Gershwin in New York, hiking the Grand Canyon, and conducting in San Francisco. Having lived across the turn of the 20th century, Ravel looked back bitterly at a decadent aristocratic age, and created new musical styles reflecting the vibrancy and tumult of our modern world.
Join us for an extraordinary celebration of Ravel, one of classical music's most visionary figures, including performances of his String Quartet, Violin Sonatas, Pavane for a Dead Princess, Mother Goose Suite, Gaspard de la nuit, Jeux d'eau, and Boléro. Experience the brilliance of a composer who transcends time and bridges worlds, cultures, and genres, leaving a timeless legacy that continues to inspire generations.
To explore an interactive timeline of Ravel's history through the lens of our season, click here.
Maurice Ravel was a modern man captivated by the technological advancements of the early 20th century. He was a passionate traveler and a board game enthusiast. Like a master architect, Ravel crafted music with meticulous care, leaving no note to chance. An unpretentious genius who composed Boléro, the most performed work in classical music history, with just two simple phrases, he epitomized musical rebellion like no other composer in modern history. Ravel was a visionary who embraced the bold new sound of his era—jazz—infusion its spirit into his work with masterful precision.
Wallpaper to the corridor of Ravel's residence, Le Belvédère, in Montfort-l'Amaury, France. Special thanks to the city of Montfort-l'Amaury for graciously allowing us to use this image. Signature monogram created by Maurice Ravel himself, courtesy of Maison–Musée Maurice Ravel in Montfort-l'Amaury, France.