GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => General Classical Music Discussion => The Polling Station => Topic started by: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 08:22:52 AM

Title: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 08:22:52 AM
(http://zsq.fr/compositeurs/img/c/ravel.jpg)

Have fun! 8) There are no stipulations for this poll. Here is my list in no particular order:

Piano Concerto for left-hand
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Trio
Violin Sonata (No. 2)
Ma mère l'oye (orchestral version)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Jo498 on June 01, 2015, 08:31:17 AM
piano trio
concerto for the left hand
string quartet
la valse
gaspard de la nuit

Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on June 01, 2015, 08:36:16 AM
Not a bad start to begin with.  ;) My bet:

Menuet antique (1895, orch. 1929)
Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and string quartet (1905)
Daphnis et Chloé (1912)
Le tombeau de Couperin (1917, orch. 1919)
Piano Concerto in G (1929–31)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Wanderer on June 01, 2015, 08:50:59 AM
Piano Concerto in D for the Left Hand
Gaspard de la nuit
Daphnis et Chloé
L'enfant et les sortilèges
La valse
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: jochanaan on June 01, 2015, 09:00:26 AM
Ma mere l'Oye, orchestral version
Le Tombeau de Couperin
Concerto for Piano Left Hand
La Valse
And finally, "Seventeen minutes of orchestra without any music." ;)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Brian on June 01, 2015, 09:04:35 AM
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Concerto for the left hand
Le Tombeau de Couperin (piano version)*
La valse
Gaspard de la Nuit

*Not too crazy about the orchestral arrangement, but the four-saxophone version by Ellipsos is a ton of fun.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 01, 2015, 09:05:27 AM
I like all the love for La valse!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on June 01, 2015, 09:06:46 AM
Quote from: jochanaan on June 01, 2015, 09:00:26 AMAnd finally, "Seventeen minutes of orchestra without any music." ;)

Like that one too.  :)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 01, 2015, 09:08:25 AM
Quote from: Christo on June 01, 2015, 09:06:46 AM
Like that one too.  :)

+1
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Luke on June 01, 2015, 09:26:36 AM
1 - L'enfant et les sortileges (the echt-Ravel work, ought to be a stipulated choice, really    $:)  ;) )
2 - Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme
3 - Piano Trio
4 - Piano Concerto for the Left hand
plus one of Sonata for Violin and Cello/Piano concerto in G/Chansons Madecasses/La Valse depending on my mood
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:26:46 AM
L'Enfant et les Sortilèges
Le Tombeau de Couperin
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Piano Trio
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Luke on June 01, 2015, 09:29:49 AM
Good list (i.e. nearly matches mine  ;)  ;)  ;) )
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:34:36 AM
Quote from: Luke on June 01, 2015, 09:29:49 AM
Good list (i.e. nearly matches mine  ;)  ;)  ;) )
Your list is very nice as well, Luke.  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 01, 2015, 09:36:12 AM
Quote from: Luke on June 01, 2015, 09:26:36 AM
2 - Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme

I just may have listened to these for the first time this weekend (* hangs head in shame *)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:42:34 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 01, 2015, 09:36:12 AM
I just may have listened to these for the first time this weekend (* hangs head in shame *)
I suppose you have heard Deux Mélodies hébraïques, Chansons madécasses, Cinq Mélodies populaires grecques, and Histoires naturelles, though? Right?  :-\
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: springrite on June 01, 2015, 09:44:02 AM
Gaspard
PC in G
PC for the left hand
Daphnes et Chloe
La Valse


I know, I am being boringly predictable.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Luke on June 01, 2015, 09:45:28 AM
Quote from: KarlI just may have listened to these for the first time this weekend (* hangs head in shame *)


Ravel was living at Clarens with Stravinsky when he wrote them, and it shows. From maurice-ravel.net

QuoteThey were closest in the years before the First World War. In 1913 Ravel stayed with Stravinsky at Clarens in Switzerland and they worked closely together on a performing version of Moussorgsky's Khovanshchina (now apparently lost). According to Stravinsky, on an excursion to Varèse near Lake Maggiore they couldn't find separate hotel rooms, and so slept in the same bed (Stravinsky, [1959], p.62). At the same time, Ravel was starting work on his Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, for which he used a similar ensemble of instruments to Stravinsky's in the recently completed Three Japanese lyrics. The first song in Ravel's group of Mallarmé settings, Soupir, is dedicated to Stravinsky.
(the other two are dedicated to Florent Schmitt and Satie respectively.)

Strav's Japanese Lyrics were themselves modelled in part on Pierrot Lunaire, as he told Ravel at the time, so there's a bit of a family tree going on here. They are certainly amongst Ravel's most refined, advanced, subtle and complex works, and are a really concentrated example of his style at its best. I adore them unreservedly!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 01, 2015, 09:47:01 AM
Quote from: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:42:34 AM
I suppose you have heard Deux Mélodies hébraïques, Chansons madécasses, Cinq Mélodies populaires grecques, and Histoires naturelles, though? Right?  :-\

I still have some catch-up, it is true.  But I did hear a fellow student sing the Chansons madécasses on a recital when I was a freshman at the College of Wooster  0:)

Luke, I knew that about the Japanese Lyrics!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 09:48:13 AM
*Wonders if Karl will make a list...
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: San Antone on June 01, 2015, 09:48:55 AM
Ma mère l'oye (either for solo piano or orchestrated)
Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme
Piano trio in A Minor
Piano Concerto in G
Sonata for Violin and Cello
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: springrite on June 01, 2015, 09:50:29 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 09:48:13 AM
*Wonders if Karl will make a list...

He will name the five works featuring the clarinet prominently, starting with Bolero.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:51:54 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 01, 2015, 09:47:01 AM
I still have some catch-up, it is true.  But I did hear a fellow student sing the Chansons madécasses on a recital when I was a freshman at the College of Wooster  0:)

Clearly it made a lasting impression.  ::)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: ZauberdrachenNr.7 on June 01, 2015, 09:55:48 AM
Tombeau
Ma mère l'oye
SQ
Piano Trio
Gaspard de la Nuit

and because I so deserve it, a sixth (also because it's short) Pièce en Forme de Habanera (Often when I hear it I think of 1.) Ravel thinking of his mum who was Basque and lived in Madrid AND 2.) about the fascination French composers share for things Spanish)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on June 01, 2015, 09:56:39 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 01, 2015, 09:50:29 AMHe will name the five works featuring the clarinet prominently, starting with Bolero.

* pounding the table / chortle
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 01, 2015, 10:05:50 AM
Quote from: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:51:54 AM
Clearly it made a lasting impression.  ::)

It did, have loved them ever since.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on June 01, 2015, 10:09:55 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 01, 2015, 10:05:50 AM
It did, have loved them ever since.
Alright, I got the impression that it was the last time you heard the piece.  :)

Quote from: sanantonio on June 01, 2015, 09:48:55 AM
Ma mère l'oye (either for solo piano or orchestrated)
I prefer the piano four hands version myself.  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mr Bloom on June 01, 2015, 10:52:04 AM
Sonata for violin and piano n°2
Piano trio
Sonate for violin and  cello
Chansons madécasses
Gaspard de la nuit
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Lisztianwagner on June 01, 2015, 11:29:46 AM
La Valse
Miroirs
Daphnis et Chloé
Piano Concerto for the left hand
Gaspard de la nuit
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mandryka on June 01, 2015, 11:59:08 AM
L hand concerto
Valses nobles et sentimentales
Medecasses
3 Mallarmé songs
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Sergeant Rock on June 01, 2015, 12:28:28 PM
Rapsodie espagnole
String Quartet
La valse
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Alborada del gracioso (orchestral version)

Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Jo498 on June 01, 2015, 12:56:30 PM
I always confuse the Spanish pieces Rapsodie Espagnole und Alborada, therefore I picked La Valse...
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Ken B on June 01, 2015, 03:03:11 PM
Piano Concerto
Bolero
Other Piano Concerto

I guess the quartet and trio if I must have five.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: EigenUser on June 01, 2015, 03:26:00 PM
Introduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet (surprised that no one picked this yet!)
Left-Hand PC
Le Tombeau de Couperin (I love both versions, but the piano version is one of my favorite solo piano works ever)
String Quartet
La Valse
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 01, 2015, 04:13:21 PM
Both Piano Concertos
Daphnis
Bolero
La Valse, his best work.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: NJ Joe on June 01, 2015, 04:32:13 PM
Daphnis Et Chloe (complete)
Alborada del gracioso (orch)
Rapsodie Espagnole
Ma Mere L'Oye (orch)
La Valse

Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Ken B on June 01, 2015, 04:33:55 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on June 01, 2015, 03:26:00 PM
Introduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet (surprised that no one picked this yet!)
Left-Hand PC
Le Tombeau de Couperin (I love both versions, but the piano version is one of my favorite solo piano works ever)
String Quartet
La Valse
What?? Not La Mer?



:laugh:
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Cato on June 01, 2015, 04:39:04 PM

Le Tombeau de Couperin (both versions)
String Quartet
Gaspard de la nuit
Daphnis et Chloé
L'enfant et les sortilèges


Actually, my favorite Ravel works are by Poulenc!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Ken B on June 01, 2015, 05:10:46 PM
Quote from: Cato on June 01, 2015, 04:39:04 PM

Actually, my favorite Ravel works are by Poulenc!

(http://mybrainllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/hero.jpg)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Cato on June 01, 2015, 05:47:28 PM
Quote from: Ken B on June 01, 2015, 05:10:46 PM
(http://mybrainllc.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/04/hero.jpg)

Heh-heh!  Well, that was easy!  ;)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Daverz on June 01, 2015, 06:21:14 PM
Piano Trio.  I can think of few works as beautiful and as perfect.
Ma Mere L'Oye ballet
Daphnis et Chloe
Piano Music (cheating, but the solo piano music fits on 2 discs).  Favorites are Gaspard, Sonatine, Valses, and Tombeau.
Scheherazade
String Quartet
Duo for Violin and Cello
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: springrite on June 01, 2015, 06:24:27 PM
Quote from: Daverz on June 01, 2015, 06:21:14 PM

Duo for Violin and Cello

Glad someone mentioned this wonderful work!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 06:25:30 PM
Quote from: Daverz on June 01, 2015, 06:21:14 PM
Piano Trio.  I can think of few works as beautiful and as perfect.
Ma Mere L'Oye ballet
Daphnis et Chloe
Piano Music (cheating, but the solo piano music fits on 2 discs).  Favorites are Gaspard, Sonatine, Valses, and Tombeau.
Scheherazade
String Quartet
Duo for Violin and Cello

You're cheating in this list and in your Janacek list. You picked 7 works and you can only choose 5.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: springrite on June 01, 2015, 06:28:23 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 06:25:30 PM
You're cheating in this list and in your Janacek list. You picked 7 works and you can only choose 5.

Can't fault the consistency though.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 06:32:20 PM
Quote from: springrite on June 01, 2015, 06:28:23 PM
Can't fault the consistency though.

That's certainly true. :)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Daverz on June 01, 2015, 07:11:55 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 06:25:30 PM
You're cheating in this list and in your Janacek list. You picked 7 works and you can only choose 5.

Yup.  I'm such a bastard!  And actually I listed 10 works by name.  Bwahahahaha!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 01, 2015, 07:16:26 PM
Quote from: Daverz on June 01, 2015, 07:11:55 PM
Yup.  I'm such a bastard!  And actually I listed 10 works by name.  Bwahahahaha!

>:(
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Ken B on June 01, 2015, 07:22:52 PM
Quote from: Daverz on June 01, 2015, 07:11:55 PM
Yup.  I'm such a bastard!  And actually I listed 10 works by name.  Bwahahahaha!

And I bet you change the list daily too!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Madiel on June 02, 2015, 07:42:08 AM
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Miroirs
Gaspard de la Nuit


I'm not 100% certain what would occupy the other places. Some of the chamber works, I don't feel I'm familiar enough with yet to know how I'd rank them (and I don't know the Introduction and Allegro at all, which many people rank very highly indeed).

But hey, one of my favourite concertos and 2 of the greatest piano suites ever written isn't a bad start. And it's not as if there aren't plenty of fine works close on the heels of these ones.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: San Antone on June 02, 2015, 07:45:54 AM
Quote from: springrite on June 01, 2015, 06:24:27 PM
Glad someone mentioned this wonderful work!

I had done so, too.

Quote from: sanantonio on June 01, 2015, 09:48:55 AM
Ma mère l'oye (either for solo piano or orchestrated)
Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme
Piano trio in A Minor
Piano Concerto in G
Sonata for Violin and Cello

???
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mr Bloom on June 02, 2015, 10:11:56 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on June 02, 2015, 07:45:54 AM
I had done so, too.
So did I. How unfair.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Luke on June 02, 2015, 10:27:26 AM
Me too. And I said it first. *sniff*

;) ;)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on June 02, 2015, 10:55:09 AM
Quote from: EigenUser on June 01, 2015, 03:26:00 PMIntroduction and Allegro for Flute, Clarinet, Harp, and String Quartet (surprised that no one picked this yet!)

Actually, this no-one did:  ;)
Quote from: Christo on June 01, 2015, 08:36:16 AM Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and string quartet (1905)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 02, 2015, 11:13:57 AM
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Daphnis and Chloe
Introduction and Allegro or Gaspard de la Nuit.
Ma Mere L'Oye (orch)
Bolero  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on June 02, 2015, 11:25:47 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 02, 2015, 11:13:57 AMBolero  8)

Fabulous piece, no reason for snobbishness. You're not the only one to like it:

Quote from: jochanaan on June 01, 2015, 09:00:26 AMAnd finally, "Seventeen minutes of orchestra without any music." ;)

Quote from: Christo on June 01, 2015, 09:06:46 AMLike that one too.  :)

Quote from: karlhenning on June 01, 2015, 09:08:25 AM+1

EDIT:
Quote from: Ken B on June 03, 2015, 05:42:30 PMHey! I picked Bolero too! *grumbles*

Fixed:
Quote from: Ken B on June 01, 2015, 03:03:11 PMBolero
:)

Edit - even one more:
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2015, 05:32:31 PMCount me in... I've always liked it, ever since first time I heard it, over twenty years ago now I'm guessing.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on June 03, 2015, 05:16:23 PM
L'Enfant et les Sortilèges
Concerto in G
Gaspard de la Nuit
Scheherazade
Bolero

Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2015, 05:32:31 PM
Quote from: Christo on June 02, 2015, 11:25:47 AM
Fabulous piece, no reason for snobbishness. You're not the only one to like it:

Count me in...

Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 01, 2015, 04:13:21 PM
Bolero

I've always liked it, ever since first time I heard it, over twenty years ago now I'm guessing.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Ken B on June 03, 2015, 05:42:30 PM
Hey! I picked Bolero too!
*grumbles*
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2015, 05:58:30 PM
Has Bolero become The Spice Girls of classical music? It's cool to not like it, but somehow it sells millions of records and sells out concert halls.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on June 03, 2015, 06:00:02 PM
Bolero has been criticized for monotony, and Ravel himself thought it exhibited "no form, properly speaking, no development, no or almost no modulation." But though the last of these are true, the work in fact demonstrates a perfect understanding of a classical double-variation form, in this case in which the variations are confined primarily to changes in orchestral timbre, but they preserve the momentum found in the classical variation form where the phrase structure of the theme (in this case two themes) remains constant. Typically a classical variation structure will conclude with some departure from the momentum of maintaining this constant phrase structure (such as a concluding fugue), and here Ravel breaks the momentum by the sudden modulation from C major to E. The piece also succeeds because, against the monotony of the snare-drum figure, both the main and secondary themes exhibit considerable melodic and rhythmic asymmetry, and very little internal repetition. See for instance how the placement of the G in measures 3 and 4 offsets the stability of the basic 3/4 rhythm:
http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bol%C3%A9ro_(Ravel)

(Ravel's approach in Bolero is very different from that of Britten in the YPG, where the variations do not preserve the phrase structure of the main theme, but instead each develops various motifs from the theme in what amounts to a set of free fantasias on it. At the same time, as a gesture to the classical method, Britten concludes his piece with a nifty little fugue.)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Madiel on June 04, 2015, 01:50:39 AM
Yep, all of that. Saying that Bolero is monotonous misses the fact that the "monotony" actually consists of a couple of first-class melodies that have enormous interest in and of themselves.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 04, 2015, 01:01:57 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 03, 2015, 05:58:30 PM
Has Bolero become The Spice Girls of classical music? It's cool to not like it, but somehow it sells millions of records and sells out concert halls.

I like the Spice Girls too.  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 05, 2015, 01:45:05 AM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 04, 2015, 01:01:57 PM
I like the Spice Girls too.  8)

And we learn this here, on a Ravel thread??!!  0:)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: (poco) Sforzando on June 05, 2015, 03:11:00 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 05, 2015, 01:45:05 AM
And we learn this here, on a Ravel thread??!!  0:)

Doubtless he is referring to Ravel's spicier heroines: Conception, Scheherazade, the cats in L'Enfant (but not the Princess, or for that matter Chloe).
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: jochanaan on June 05, 2015, 07:24:26 AM
Bolero, like many masterpieces, looks both backward and forward.  Yes, it is a variation set in which the only parameter changed is the orchestration; but I also see it as a proto-minimalist composition in which the long, slow crescendo builds tremendous excitement.  I wonder if Glass, Reich et al acknowledge its influence. 8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 05, 2015, 08:09:21 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 05, 2015, 01:45:05 AM
And we learn this here, on a Ravel thread??!!  0:)

hehe - but I am a lateral thinker Karl 8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: vandermolen on June 05, 2015, 08:09:55 AM
Quote from: (poco) Sforzando on June 05, 2015, 03:11:00 AM
Doubtless he is referring to Ravel's spicier heroines: Conception, Scheherazade, the cats in L'Enfant (but not the Princess, or for that matter Chloe).

You got this absolutely right!  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: jochanaan on June 05, 2015, 08:16:43 AM
Well, by all accounts, Ida Rubinstein, who commissioned the Bolero as a ballet, was pretty spicy. :o ;D
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 23, 2015, 04:45:19 PM
Quote from: vandermolen on June 04, 2015, 01:01:57 PM
I like the Spice Girls too.  8)

I think Posh Spice and Scary Spice are hot. Just sayin'. :D
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Moonfish on June 23, 2015, 05:11:27 PM
Wait! I like Bolero too...!!   0:)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 26, 2015, 07:13:37 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on June 23, 2015, 04:45:19 PM
I think Posh Spice and Scary Spice are hot. Just sayin'. :D

What? No love for Baby Spice? I mean how hot was it to have an adult pretend to be a lollipop sucking child?


Quote from: Moonfish on June 23, 2015, 05:11:27 PM
Wait! I like Bolero too...!!   0:)

It's settled then, Bolero is a masterpiece!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on June 30, 2015, 03:39:09 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 26, 2015, 07:13:37 AMIt's settled then, Bolero is a masterpiece!

Exacly ten opinions by now to support the verdict. Boléro must be a masterpiece.  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on June 30, 2015, 03:54:48 AM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 26, 2015, 07:13:37 AM
What? No love for Baby Spice? I mean how hot was it to have an adult pretend to be a lollipop sucking child?

You ask Pee-Wee Herman.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on June 30, 2015, 10:58:43 AM
Quote from: karlhenning on June 30, 2015, 03:54:48 AM
You ask Pee-Wee Herman.

(http://www.reactiongifs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/pee-wee-omg.gif)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 22, 2016, 10:23:12 AM
My list has changed since the last one, so...

(In no particular order)

Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
Piano Concerto for the left-hand
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Shéhérazade
Violin Sonata


Who knows what my list will look like tomorrow.


Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Madiel on February 22, 2016, 12:14:31 PM
My order of Sheherazade is on its way, and I now have my eye on a particular version of the Poemes (which I'd not heard before) after streaming.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 22, 2016, 12:20:50 PM
Quote from: orfeo on February 22, 2016, 12:14:31 PM
My order of Sheherazade is on its way, and I now have my eye on a particular version of the Poemes (which I'd not heard before) after streaming.

Shéhérazade is, and pardon me for saying this, absolutely orgasmic. It's sumptuous, exotic, and completely engulfing in its seduction. Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé is a darker hued work but no less attractive for it. It's beguiling!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 22, 2016, 09:56:28 PM
Frontispice
Daphnis et Chloe
Le Tombeau de Couperin (either version)
Shéhérazade
Ma mère l'Oye
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: ritter on February 22, 2016, 11:48:55 PM
Quote from: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 22, 2016, 09:56:28 PM
Frontispice
Daphnis et Chloe
Le Tombeau de Couperin (either version)
Shéhérazade
Ma mère l'Oye
Great list, CoAG! Nice to see Frontispice appear here...a wonderful, enigmatic composition. Have you heard the Boulez orchestration? AFAIK, Boulez's only published arrangement of another composer's work. IIRC. there's actually two versions, this one for reduced forces and another for full orchestra.

https://www.youtube.com/v/dYdOjdP5-oI

THREAD DUTY:

My list (now) would be:

- Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
- Ma mère l'Oye
- Le Tombeau de Couperin (both versions)
- Concerto for the left hand
- La Valse

Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Chronochromie on February 23, 2016, 11:29:05 AM
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Daphnis et Chloé
Piano Concerto in G
Gaspard de la nuit
Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: ComposerOfAvantGarde on February 23, 2016, 11:52:47 AM
Quote from: ritter on February 22, 2016, 11:48:55 PM
Great list, CoAG! Nice to see Frontispice appear here...a wonderful, enigmatic composition. Have you heard the Boulez orchestration? AFAIK, Boulez's only published arrangement of another composer's work. IIRC. there's actually two versions, this one for reduced forces and another for full orchestra.

https://www.youtube.com/v/dYdOjdP5-oI

THREAD DUTY:

My list (now) would be:

- Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
- Ma mère l'Oye
- Le Tombeau de Couperin (both versions)
- Concerto for the left hand
- La Valse


I know that arrange mn conducted by Pintscher on that video, but I didn't know there was another one! I'm very familiar with the original version which I think is Ravel's most alluring work of them all.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Monsieur Croche on February 23, 2016, 10:32:44 PM
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Daphnis et Chloé
Concerto en sol majeur
Concerto pour la main gauche


i.e. his four unequivocal masterpieces.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Madiel on February 24, 2016, 12:02:00 AM
Tricky word, unequivocal. Before you know it, someone will come along and equivocate.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on February 24, 2016, 04:18:49 AM
Quote from: orfeo on February 24, 2016, 12:02:00 AM
Tricky word, unequivocal. Before you know it, someone will come along and equivocate.

Hah!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 25, 2016, 05:15:28 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 22, 2016, 10:23:12 AM
My list has changed since the last one, so...

(In no particular order)

Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
Piano Concerto for the left-hand
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Shéhérazade
Violin Sonata


Who knows what my list will look like tomorrow.

Yep...this is still a damn fine list I made here. 8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Brahmsian on February 26, 2016, 03:21:09 PM
String Quartet
Piano Trio
Ma mere l'oye (orch.)
Introduction and allegro for harp, string quartet, flute and clarinet
Piano Concerto in G
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 26, 2016, 03:45:09 PM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 26, 2016, 03:21:09 PM
String Quartet
Piano Trio
Ma mere l'oye (orch.)
Introduction and allegro for harp and strings
Piano Concerto in G

Great list, Ray! Have you heard the original Introduction and Allegro? It's written for string quartet, harp, flute, and clarinet. Definitely worth checking out (if you haven't already).
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: NikF on February 26, 2016, 04:38:28 PM
I haven't heard as much Ravel as most of the members here will have. And of what I have heard it's been limited to a small number of performances. So with that in mind...

Piano Trio in A minor

String Quartet in F

Piano Concerto in G

Gaspard de la Nuit (I've a CD featuring Michelangeli playing this - late 50s, mono, perhaps via the BBC? - that I find wonderful)

Daphnis et Chloé
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Xenophanes on February 26, 2016, 04:52:39 PM
Quote from: Monsieur Croche on February 23, 2016, 10:32:44 PM
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Daphnis et Chloé
Concerto en sol majeur
Concerto pour la main gauche


i.e. his four unequivocal masterpieces.

Pictures at an Exhibition--Ravel's orchestral arrangement of Mussorgsky's piano work
Rapsodie espagnole
String Quartet
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
Tzigane
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Brahmsian on February 27, 2016, 04:45:32 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 26, 2016, 03:45:09 PM
Great list, Ray! Have you heard the original Introduction and Allegro? It's written for string quartet, harp, flute, and clarinet. Definitely worth checking out (if you haven't already).

My bad, John.  I've edited my post to include the flute and clarinet.  ;D
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Brahmsian on February 27, 2016, 04:47:12 AM
Quote from: Xenophanes on February 26, 2016, 04:52:39 PM
Pictures at an Exhibition--Ravel's orchestral arrangement of Mussorgsky's piano work
Rapsodie espagnole
String Quartet
Introduction and Allegro for Harp, Flute, Clarinet and String Quartet
Tzigane

A nice list, indeed.  And yes, for sure Pictures at an Exhibition!  The Tzigane almost made my list.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 27, 2016, 05:57:07 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 27, 2016, 04:45:32 AM
My bad, John.  I've edited my post to include the flute and clarinet.  ;D

So you did. Great! 8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: James on February 29, 2016, 02:28:57 AM
One of my longstanding faves!! And an abundance of riches to choose from ..
off the top of my head at this moment ..

Daphnis et Chloé
Pavane
Piano Concerto
String Quartet
Jeux d'eau
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 29, 2016, 06:46:07 AM
Quote from: James on February 29, 2016, 02:28:57 AMPiano Concerto

Which one?
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: James on February 29, 2016, 09:29:05 AM
Quote from: Mirror Image on February 29, 2016, 06:46:07 AM
Which one?

Either one - they are both great.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on February 29, 2016, 09:34:06 AM
Quote from: James on February 29, 2016, 09:29:05 AM
Either one - they are both great.
When you're right, you're right.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on September 03, 2016, 06:44:35 AM
I've got to update my favorites list:

Violin Sonata
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Concerto for the left-hand
Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Heck148 on September 07, 2016, 10:22:27 AM

La Valse
Rapsodie Espagnole
Alborado delGracioso
Daphnis & Chloe
Piano Concerto in G
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Spineur on September 07, 2016, 10:43:03 AM
Quote from: ChamberNut on February 27, 2016, 04:47:12 AM
A nice list, indeed.  And yes, for sure Pictures at an Exhibition!  The Tzigane almost made my list.
Nice to hear from you ChamberNut, we were missing you
Sonata for violin and Cello
Pavane pour une infante defunte
Concerto pour la main gauche
Chansons madecasses et chansons sur des melodies grecques
L'enfant et les sortileges

Difficult to put Gaspard de la nuit aside...
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Karl Henning on September 07, 2016, 10:45:37 AM
Quote from: North Star on February 29, 2016, 09:34:06 AM
When you're right, you're right.

You haven't touched your pea soup.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Jaakko Keskinen on September 23, 2016, 01:48:03 AM
1. Miroirs
2. Miroirs
3. Miroirs
4. Miroirs
5. Miroirs

Oh, and did I mention Miroirs?
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on September 23, 2016, 01:50:19 AM
Quote from: Alberich on September 23, 2016, 01:48:03 AM
1. Miroirs
2. Miroirs
3. Miroirs
4. Miroirs
5. Miroirs

Oh, and did I mention Miroirs?
You could always list the pieces in it individually.  8)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Gaspard de la nuit on October 28, 2016, 10:05:16 AM
Gaspard de la nuit
Sonata for Violin and Cello
Either Piano Concerto
Piano Trio
Daphnis et Chloé
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: SymphonicAddict on December 13, 2016, 04:38:39 PM
In the first place, the Piano concerto for the left hand: Awesome, so original
Daphnis et Chloé
Introduction and Allegro
Pavane
Le tombeau de Couperin
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on January 11, 2017, 07:16:08 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on September 03, 2016, 06:44:35 AM
I've got to update my favorites list:

Violin Sonata
L'enfant et les sortilèges
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Concerto for the left-hand
Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé


I'm still highly satisfied with these picks. 8) I've finally arrived at that point where I've added/subtracted enough times to where there's nothing left to change.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on January 11, 2017, 08:19:56 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on January 11, 2017, 08:08:42 PM
Daphnis et Chloé
Miroirs
Gaspard de la nuit
Piano Concerto
String Quartet (despite it's over popularity, I still like this one)
Introduction et allegro
La Valse
Spanish Rhapsody

(That's of the top of my head, forget Bolero   :laugh:  )

Out of curiosity, why do you always pick more than the number you're allotted? The whole purpose of these kinds of threads is to narrow down our favorites and find out what works have meant the most to us, but you have done quite the reverse.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: NikF on January 11, 2017, 08:42:57 PM
Right now -
Piano Trio (I still think this sounds so fresh, modern, timeless)
Piano Concerto in G
Gaspard
Sonata for Violin and Cello
Daphnis et Chloé 
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Madiel on January 12, 2017, 02:52:32 AM
Quote from: ørfeo on June 02, 2015, 07:42:08 AM
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Miroirs
Gaspard de la Nuit


I'm not 100% certain what would occupy the other places. Some of the chamber works, I don't feel I'm familiar enough with yet to know how I'd rank them (and I don't know the Introduction and Allegro at all, which many people rank very highly indeed).

But hey, one of my favourite concertos and 2 of the greatest piano suites ever written isn't a bad start. And it's not as if there aren't plenty of fine works close on the heels of these ones.

I had always meant to flesh this out, and I've failed dismally. I had a period of listening to absolutely everything Ravel (which takes a lot less time than it would with many other composers), but that was August. Since November I've been completely drowning myself in all the new music I bought from Presto and I wouldn't be confident in my memory of some of the things I heard for the first time in August.

I might just have to force myself into another round of listening...

I do remember being quite taken with two chamber works I wasn't familiar with: the Introduction and Allegro, and the sonata for violin and cello. But whether they would outrank some other works, well... I might be forced to take extensive listening trials to figure that out.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on January 12, 2017, 02:54:32 PM
Quote from: Thatfabulousalien on January 12, 2017, 02:40:45 PM
Sorry if I've offended you, I'm not good at lists  :(

You most certainly did not offend me, my friend. Far from it. No worries, man.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: kyjo on October 24, 2017, 09:08:31 AM
Daphnis et Chloé
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Concerto for the left hand
La valse
Piano Trio
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on October 24, 2017, 09:38:59 AM
Quote from: Christo on June 01, 2015, 08:36:16 AM
Not a bad start to begin with.  ;) My bet:

Menuet antique (1895, orch. 1929)
Introduction and Allegro for harp, flute, clarinet, and string quartet (1905)
Daphnis et Chloé (1912)
Le tombeau de Couperin (1917, orch. 1919)
Piano Concerto in G (1929–31)
Time for a small revision: no longer Daphnis (on renewned listening I found out that's not what I always thought it was, mostly due to the Suites - now I prefer Gabriel Pierné's ballet Cydalise et le Chèvre-pied and for Ravel I'm now thinking of the 1910 ballet Ma Mère l'Oye .
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: San Antone on October 24, 2017, 10:15:08 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on June 01, 2015, 09:48:55 AM
Ma mère l'oye (either for solo piano or orchestrated)
Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme
Piano trio in A Minor
Piano Concerto in G
Sonata for Violin and Cello

I am glad to see that I included Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme in my list.  I listened to it last night and realized how much I liked it.  The rest of the list also holds up.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: North Star on October 24, 2017, 10:45:35 AM
Quote from: sanantonio on October 24, 2017, 10:15:08 AM
I am glad to see that I included Trois poemes de Stephane Mallarme in my list.  I listened to it last night and realized how much I liked it.  The rest of the list also holds up.
Thanks for reminding me about leaving it off my list. :-[ (I'd like to also include Chansons madécasses, Histoires naturelles, Chants populaires and Deux Mélodies hébraïques. . . And Ma mère l'oye, Miroirs, Gaspard. . .)
Quote from: North Star on June 01, 2015, 09:26:46 AM
L'Enfant et les Sortilèges
Le Tombeau de Couperin Trois Poèmes de Stèphane Mallarmé
Piano Concerto in G
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Piano Trio
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on October 24, 2017, 05:53:57 PM
Quote from: kyjo on October 24, 2017, 09:08:31 AM
Daphnis et Chloé
Both piano concerti
La valse
Piano Trio

Only four? ???
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: kyjo on October 24, 2017, 06:27:08 PM
Quote from: Mirror Image on October 24, 2017, 05:53:57 PM
Only four? ???

Nope, five. I included both piano concerti which I assume would count as two separate works. Believe me, I would've loved to have included 10!
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on October 24, 2017, 06:28:25 PM
Quote from: kyjo on October 24, 2017, 06:27:08 PM
Nope, five. I included both piano concerti which I assume would count as two separate works. Believe me, I would've loved to have included 10!

Aye, sorry, I misread your list.
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Christo on October 25, 2017, 12:26:58 AM
Quote from: kyjo on October 24, 2017, 06:27:08 PMNope, five. I included both piano concerti which I assume would count as two separate works. Believe me, I would've loved to have included 10!
Why not post your other five as well? Most of us violate the rules far worse.  :D
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: amw on October 25, 2017, 03:11:26 AM
fave performances in brackets

Gaspard de la nuit (Arrau, Lonquich)
Tombeau de Couperin (Janssen, Collard)
Miroirs (Schuch)
Sonatine (Argerich)
Trio (Richter/Kagan/Gutman)
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: kyjo on October 25, 2017, 11:07:25 AM
Quote from: Christo on October 25, 2017, 12:26:58 AM
Why not post your other five as well? Most of us violate the rules far worse.  :D

Well, since you asked... :D

String Quartet
Introduction and Allegro
Pavane pour une infante défunte
Miroirs (especially the orchestral version of Alborada del gracioso)
Le Tombeau de Couperin
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Turner on October 25, 2017, 11:34:10 AM
I can't choose, so many good works, but I know for sure that Daphnis & Chloe and the Concerto in G would be there.

Btw, the Don Quixote Songs should have been 3 times longer, or more, at least in one version - they are such exquisite little works ...
Title: Re: Top 5 Favorite Ravel Works
Post by: Mirror Image on February 08, 2018, 07:38:17 AM
Okay, mine has changed yet again:

Miroirs
Gaspard de la nuit
Ma mère l'Oye (version for piano duo)
Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé
L'enfant et les sortilèges