Biography and Chief Works of 

Maurice Ravel  

1875.

Bom in S. France, near Atlantic coast and Spanish border. Soon moved to Paris.

1889.

Entered Paris Conservatoire, where had composition lessons from Fauré, a famous Organist and composer, who later became head of the conservatoire.  Also influenced by Liszt and the Russians.  But soon developed individual style.  

1902.

Unsuccessfully competed for Prix de Rome, and again in 1903 and 1905.  This finally caused a public outcry, as he had already produced technically competent and mature works, such as 'Pavane pour une Infante défunte', 'Jeux d'Eau', and the string quartet.

Settled in Paris, as composer, living an uneventful life.

1903-1914.

A period of song and piano composition: 'Sonatina', 'Gaspard de la Nuit', 'Valses Nobles et Sentimentales' for piano; 'Mother Goose' for piano duet; 'Shéhérazade' and 'Histoires Naturelles' for voice.  

Ravel conceived most of his works for piano, but often orchestrated them later, as, for example, 'Valses Nobles et Sentimentales' and 'Mother Goose' above.  Also wrote opera 'L'Heure Espagnole' and ballet 'Daphnis and Chloe'. 

1914-1930.

Growing tendency towards abstraction and simplification.  More interested in line, less in colour.  'Le Tombeau de Couperin' for piano; sonata for violin and cello; 'La Valse' and 'Bolero' for orchestra; opera 'L'enfant et les Sortiléges'; and the orchestration of Moussorgsky's 'Pictures from an Exhibition'.  

1922.

Conducted at Queen's Hall London.  Also visited Holland and Venice.

1928.

Tour of U.S.A., and another visit to England.

1930-1931.

Piano concerto for the left hand; piano concerto in G major.  

1932.

Involvement in car crash caused a nervous breakdown, from which he never recovered.

1937.

Died, after an operation on the brain.  

An impressionist, rooted in classicism, Music akin to that of Debussy, but firmer and clearer in outlines and harmony, more formal and classical.  Very French, civilized and restrained.

Preferred to write on a small scale.  Wrote many of his works for piano at first, but later orchestrated them skillfully.

Piano music:

'Pavane pour une Infante défunte; 'Jeux d'Eau'; 'Sonatina'; 'Gaspard de la Nuit'; 'Valses Nobles et Sentimentales'; 'Le Tombeau de Couperin'; etc.

A number of songs.

Orchestral arrangements of his own piano works, such as 'Pavane' and 'Le Tombeau de Couperin', and of Moussorgsky's 'Pictures from an Exhibition'.  The 'Bolero' is the only purely orchestral work originally conceived for orchestra, and consists of one long crescendo caused by the gradual addition of more instruments.  Two piano concertos, one being for left hand only.  

Ballets:

'Daphnis and Chloe'; 'Mother Goose'; 'La Vales 'L'Heure Espagnole'; 'L'Enfant et les Sortileges'.

Chamber music: 

string quartet; Introduction and Allegro for harp, string quartet, flute and clarinet; sonata for violin and cello; etc.