Musical Mondays No. 1
Musical Mondays, produced by a musician for people who are always on the go.
June 5th, 2023
Greetings everyone!
Welcome to Musical Mondays, where I, Somiah Nettles
, introduce you to a different classical composer on the first Monday of each month in an effort to, in the words of the Berkeley Piano Club, "cultivate and encourage the study, understanding, and appreciation of great music." Because we’ll be honoring one composer for a whole month, on the following Mondays, additional highlights from their lives and music will be made available via Notes.This month, I’d like to introduce you to one of my favorite French composers and pianist, Maurice Ravel, who was born March 7th, 1875. Ravel was born in the village of Ciboure, France, near Saint-Jean-De-Luz, France, to a Swiss father and a Basque mother. Ravel’s family was both artistic and well-educated. ‘‘His Basque heritage gave him a special affinity with Spanish colours and rhythms; his acute ability to re-engage sensations and memories from childhood resulted in music of playful innocence and ravishing purity’’ (Classic fM). Ravel's virtuoso aptitude was recognized early on, and he obtained his father’s encouragement. Classic fM on Ravel Link
Unfortunately, Ravel suffered from a neurodegenerative disease in his 50s as a result of many years of psychiatric disorders. But in the midst of it all, he composed his masterpiece, Boléro (1928). In 1932, Ravel was involved in a taxi accident and suffered a blow to the head, which led him to be absent-minded. Ravel battled with his speech and movement for the rest of his life due to a brain malfunction that was most likely caused by Pick’s disease. He died on December 28th, 1937, after an unsuccessful craniotomy performed by Clovis Vincent.
In 1889 at age fourteen, Ravel enrolled at the Paris Conservatoire as a piano student and remained there until 1905. During this duration, he composed some of his most notable works such as Pavane Pour Une Infante Défunte, (Pavane For A Dead Princess) Sonatine for the piano, and the String Quartet. Ravel was not only a composer and pianist, but he was also a conductor. On January 11th, 1930, he conducted the first concert performance in Paris with the Lamoureux Orchestra, which performed his Piano Concerto in G major.
Ravel’s compositions are wonder-filled, romantic, and painterly. Sonatine ‘‘No. 1 Modéré,’’ which epitomizes summer (my personal opinion, of course), and ‘‘Une Barque Sur L'océan’’ (A Boat On The Ocean) are two of my favorite compositions he composed.
‘‘Une Barque Sur L'océan’’ may be familiar to those who have seen the film Call Me By Your Name, directed by Luca Guadagnino. This wonderful composition is the third movement of Miroirs, composed between 1904-1905. Upon listening, one is immediately apprehended by the highs and lows of the sea, (as the title suggests) dazzling waterfalls, and the pervasive emotion of loss/seeking-ness. This piece, in my opinion, is the epitome of “lost at sea.’’
‘‘Music, I feel, must be emotional first and intellectual second.’’- Maurice Ravel
Ravel composed his Sonatine for the piano between 1903-1905. The French musical term ‘’Sonatine’’ or ‘’Sonatina’’ means ‘’a small sonata.’’ ‘’A sonata is an extended piece for an instrumental soloist with or without instrumental accompaniment, usually in several movements. A Sonatina is a short sonata, or one of modest intent; especially popular during the Classical Period” (Yale University Library). Yale's Musical Library Link
Sonatine ‘‘No. 1 Modéré’’ (my fave from the album) is lively, luminous, and nostalgic. This piece is filled with majestic trills (rapid alternation of two notes), accelerandos (play faster), and ritardandos (play slower). To my ears, it is poetry.
That’s all for now, Victorians. I hope you've fallen in love with Maurice Ravel’s intellect and musicality, or at the very least learned something new! I'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments section below. Thank you for reading, and remember to subscribe so you never miss a beat.
Musical Mondays, produced by a musician for people who are always on the go, is brought to you by Victorian Voices.
Very informative and appreciated. thanks
Thank you for sharing!