Music by 20th-century composers.
The unknown Ravel – 2. Transcriptions and orchestrations
Today the second episode in a series on Maurice Ravel’s music, especially his lesser-known works. Today we will be focusing on his transcriptions and orchestrations of other composers’ works.
Ravel was already known as a master of the art of orchestration during his lifetime. Not only of his own music, but also of the music of others. He carefully studied the possibilities of the various instruments in the orchestra, and made optimal use of their timbre.
His best-known orchestration of a piano work is of course Modest Musskorgsky’s Pictures of an Exhibition. We won’t be playing those today, but we will be playing some lesser-known orchestrations. As well as several piano transcriptions that Ravel made of Claude Debussy’s orchestral works.
Playlist
- Claude Debussy: Prélude à l’après-midi d’un faune (transcription for piano four hands by Maurice Ravel). Jean-Pierre Armengaud & Olivier Chauzu, piano
- Claude Debussy: Nocturnes (transcription for two pianos by Maurice Ravel). Dag Achatz & Yukie Nagai, piano
- Claude Debussy: Sarabande from Pour le piano (orchestration Maurice Ravel). Basler Sinfonie Orchester conducted by Armin Jordan
- Robert Schumann: 4 parts from Carnaval, Op. 9 (orchestration Maurice Ravel). Orchestre National de Lyon conducted by Emmanuel Krivine
- Emmanuel Chabrier: Menuet pompeux (Pièces pittoresques no. 9) (orchestration Maurice Ravel). Orchestre du Capitole de Toulouse conducted by Michel Plasson
