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Ravel Maurice 1875 - 1937 (62)

Music, I feel, must be emotional first and intellectual second.


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Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was a French composer and pianist, widely regarded as one of the most important and influential composers of the 20th century. He is known for his innovative use of harmony, orchestration, and form, as well as his ability to blend different styles and musical traditions into his works.

Ravel was born in the town of Ciboure in the Basque region of France, on March 7, 1937, and began his musical training at an early age. He studied piano at the Paris Conservatory, where he won several prizes and developed a close friendship with fellow composer Claude Debussy.

Ravel's works are characterized by their clarity and precision, as well as their sensuous and colorful orchestration. Some of his most famous compositions include the orchestral works "Boléro," "Rapsodie espagnole," and "La Valse," as well as the piano pieces "Gaspard de la nuit," "Pavane pour une infante défunte," and "Le Tombeau de Couperin." He also wrote several operas, ballets, and chamber works.

Ravel's style had a profound influence on many composers of his time and beyond, including Igor Stravinsky, Francis Poulenc, and Aaron Copland. He died in Paris, on December 28, 1937, following a long illness.