Ravel's Bolero

[David]

These are clickable thumbnail scans of the Roger Branga eight-page solo piano transcription of the "Bolero" which I've been messing about with lately during the Ledge gentrification.

Ravel wrote to Calvocoressi: "Before its first performance, I issued a warning that what I had written was a piece consisting entirely of orchestral tissue without music -- of one long, very gradual crescendo to last exactly seventeen minutes."

Exactly seventeen minutes? Could Ravel have been joking about that? It sounds like his waggishness. (The first time he tried out for the Prix de Rome, Ravel was given a text & told to create a cantata. He thought it was so stuffy that he put it to waltz time. The Prix judges responded: "He will not go unpunished for taking us for imbeciles.")

The "Bolero" itself I've always considered something of a joke, a sendup of something or other, perhaps mocking his own earlier "La Valse" with its creeping madness, its crazed hallucinogenic evolution, exploding in a flood of brio & sound in the final measures, when form seems either unable or unwilling to contain concept. Both "La Valse" & "Bolero" adhere to the dramatic arc of sexual orgasm & demise or spentness.

Enjoy! Live long & happily & do a merry dance!

[GarboSpeaks!]

I LOVE this piece of music. And it must be listened to from start to finish. Though given to sexual references and jokes in movies (even if that was what HE was thinking when writing it) it still stands as a modern piece of composition. It could have just as easily been written in this century.

[Stew_Matthews]

Hopefully you caught up with the Tharaud version of La Valse.......it is a good interpretation.

I'm still playing the Brahms but I'll have a look at this - thanks for posting.

[GarboSpeaks!]

I just saw your other post "dedication." Aweeeee. I need to compile my favorite pieces and have a re-listen. I haven't listened to some of these masterpieces in a while. I wonder though, there is one in particular, used A LOT in film....it's VERY dark & broading. The sound of impending doom. Strong horn (i think) and bells in the beginning, and likely I don't even know how the whole piece goes...if what you always here is the beginning or end. I can't even think of one movie it's used in right now...ofcourse...um, it goes like this....lol

As I grew up to love music, I went thru a "classical" phase. Chariots Of Fire brought that to my attentiaon. Vangelis. How sad really...but not so if you figure they got me to seek emotional scores. Shortly thereafter I discovered Scott Joplin & Ragtime music. Now thats some happy sh*t. Can't listen to a one of his diddy's w/out feeling an immense amount of joy. You like that music David?

[David]

Originally Posted by GarboSpeaks!

Shortly thereafter I discovered Scott Joplin & Ragtime music. Now thats some happy sh*t. Can't listen to a one of his diddy's w/out feeling an immense amount of joy. You like that music David?

The kids who took piano lessons virtually all played those rags -- & played them & played them & played them.

It was a kind of childhood trauma.

[skcin]

The only reason I know anything about this is because of the Torvil & Dean ice dancing routine back in the early 80's. I love ice skating, and that dance was hot.

[blackroses]

I love Ravel's Bolero too, and many other classical pieces. My taste in music certainly does not stop with Fleetwood Mac. They just happen to be one of my favorites in the rock genre. But they have lots of competition from the other genres.

That Torvil & Dean Bolero ice dance is still one of the best ice skating performances ever.

[JWS]

Originally Posted by skcin

The only reason I know anything about this is because of the Torvil & Dean ice dancing routine back in the early 80's. I love ice skating, and that dance was hot.

Remember the movie "Ten" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek? Bolero was featured.

[blackroses]

Originally Posted by JWS

Remember the movie "Ten" with Dudley Moore and Bo Derek? Bolero was featured.

I try never to think of that when I listen to this music. It would ruin it for me.