Maurice Ravel is one of the greatest French composers, considered together with Debussy the summit of musical Impressionism. Yet Ravel was inimitable: his style is distinguished by a crystalline clarity of form, a jeweller's precision of detail, and an incomparable art of orchestration.
His most famous work — “Boléro” — is a work of genius: two themes that alternate unchanged for about fifteen minutes over an ostinato rhythm, gradually growing from a barely audible solo to a stunning orchestral tutti. Ravel also composed the “Rapsodie espagnole,” piano masterpieces (“Jeux d'eau,” “Gaspard de la nuit”), the ballet “Daphnis et Chloé,” and a brilliant orchestration of “Pictures at an Exhibition.” A master of refinement and perfection, Ravel left music of unearthly beauty, precision, and coloristic richness.
