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Who Was Maurice Ravel?
Maurice Ravel, a prominent French composer, was admitted to the Paris Conservatoire at the young age of 14, where he studied under the influential composer Gabriel Fauré. His ballet Daphnis et Chloé was commissioned by the renowned impresario Sergey Diaghilev. Ravel’s contributions to orchestral music include iconic works such as La Valse and Boléro, solidifying his reputation as one of the most celebrated French composers.
Early Life
Born Joseph-Maurice Ravel on March 7, 1875, in Ciboure, France, he was the son of a Basque mother and a Swiss father. In 1889, at the age of 14, Ravel began his formal music education at the prestigious Paris Conservatoire, where he had the privilege of studying under Gabriel Fauré.
Major Works and Compositions
Ravel continued his studies at the Conservatoire into his early twenties, during which he composed several of his most celebrated pieces. Notable works from this period include Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess; 1899), Jeux d’eau (1901), dedicated to Fauré, String Quartet in F Major (1903), and Sonatine (circa 1904). His innovative works from the early 20th century also feature Miroirs (1905) and Gaspard de la nuit (1908).
In his later years, Ravel composed Le Tombeau de Couperin (circa 1917) for solo piano, along with orchestral masterpieces such as Rapsodie espagnole and Boléro. Perhaps his most famous work, the ballet Daphnis et Chloé, commissioned by Diaghilev, was completed in 1912. Eight years later, he finished La Valse, which has been recognized both as a ballet and a concert work.
Death
Maurice Ravel passed away in Paris, France, on December 28, 1937. He is still celebrated as one of France’s most prominent composers, known for his profound statement, “The only love affair I have ever had was with music,” which reflects his deep passion for his art.