@@talon_how_ya_durrin5534 It is absolutely not. He literally said he chose the title because he liked the words and that it had nothing to do with the composition.
What I've learned from this recording is that the composer truly does have more insight than anyone else. Ravel emphasised a lot of the inner voicings rather than "main melody" which a lot of pianists tend to neglect. Examples: 1:28 - 1:30, 4:15 - 4:19. He also arpeggiated a lot of the chords rather than play it straight, keeping the sound very flowy and ethereal. Plus THAT ENDING! Pianists usually play it earsplittingly loud, whereas he simply faded out ever-so-gently. God bless Ravel.
Mehra Ahsan That’s absolutely right I agree with you, that a composer knows more about his/her piece than anyone else. Ever since I heard this recording and saw your comment, I’ve been trying to bring out the inner voices in this piece. Truly god bless Ravel, and any other person and composer who could play this well.
I'm a little confused, because 1:28 - 1:30 is actually marked on the score as a separate voice. It seems any pianist worth their salt should know to coax out the melody. Edit: also want to add that my edition of the Pavane is marked fortissimo at the end. It does sound horrible any louder than mezzo-forte, but ff is supposedly what's instructed.
thank you Mehra for this insightful comment. i am a pianist beginning composer learning my music theory and this is really useful for me. Kempff was a master at inner voicings!
Actually he uses wind from REB (rapid eye blinking). Its imperceptible but it is there. French school REB. Very few people know that the photograph was taken by himself too.
My mother once told me Ravel was my great-grandfather's favorite composer. I used to think his music was a bit boring, but now that I have grown mature myself I love it!
Ravel is by far my favorite composer. His Left-Hand Piano Concerto and Daphnis et Chloe are my favorite works by him-along with this piece, of course-and many others: Sonatine (especially the 2nd Movement), La Valse, Miroirs, Gaspard de la Nuit, Ma Mére l’Oye, his “Three Poems of Stephanne Malarme” Song Cycle, and his Opera: “L’Enfant et les Sortiléges”. ❤️❤️❤️
@@wallacememberships Gaspard is wonderful. It took a little more time for me to get into it,it was kind of out there,it didn't seem to have the melodic quality that I am used to with Ravel, but then I listened to Michelangeli play it and I understood what all the fuss was about, it's a remarkable piece. It's the same with Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, I wasn't getting it when I first heard it, it seems so disjointed and unmusical, I have listened to it a few more times, I still don't really like it but it's growing on me. Have you heard The String Quartet in F Major? It's another one of my favorites.
Yes, Ravel recorded this on a roll. Although he is reputed to have called for this to be played vary slowly, this is actually faster than several modern recordings. Still that takes nothing away from this piece. Truly one of the masterpieces.
He famously told one young pianist whom he thought played it too slowly, "I have written a Pavane for a dead princess -- not a dead Pavane for a princess."
I think it is because of the limitation of the recording technique of that time. Rachmaninoff also played his pn concerto faster than it should be in the recording.
I listened to it at normal (1x) speed and again at .75x speed, which turns out to sound closer to the tempo of modern recordings, though almost too slow. The glisses and pauses sound less rushed and more realistic, in my opinion.There's a bit of distortion, though, so I get why it's at the tempo it's at
It's actually crazy how much he got out of the piano. Ravel was more expressive playing this piece than any orchestra I've heard playing it. And he definitely didn't play a "dead pavane", this is a good pace and he doesn't try to make it more emotional by slowing it down. If it's played too slow it's music for a funeral procession, not a dance after the funeral.
What a different interpretation! The pianist certainly has a bigger view on death, separation and departure. He didn’t stick in a sorrow loop and magnifying those emotions, he jumped out of it, seeing it from above or as a person who lived it through. Seeing the matter with wit. He made it light.
What a different insight - perhaps part of the reason for this feeling is the very firm, definite way he plays his chords and uses the pedal. The piece can be tragic or triumphant - he plays on the side of triumph.
Maurice Ravel himself said that the piece wasn't meant for mourning. He was just imagining the type of Pavane she'd might have danced to if she were still alive.
I always come back to this version. I love the way Ravel plays (I’m aware this is a piano roll, but this is the closest we’ll ever get to hearing Ravel himself playing in this life). The colors are vibrant. The tempo isn’t too slow-or a “dead Pavane” as Ravel himself said once when critiquing a performance he heard from a student. The way he arpeggiates most of the chords brings out more of the inner voices. The harmonies weave so well together. I’ve seen plenty of comments here saying this interpretation is too fast. I feel this is perfect-representing the princess dancing freely, rather than coming off as a funeral march. There’s a piano roll recording of Ravel’s “Le Gibet” from Gaspard de la Nuit, along with “La Valleé des Cloches” from his Miroirs Suite. Both are beautifully-crafted, graceful, dreamy performances, but “La Valleé des Cloches” especially gives me goosebumps and can get me teary-eyed at times. I beg to differ when people say Ravel wasn’t a good performer. Granted, Ravel held that view about himself as well, but he was also very self-critical anyway. 🤷🏻♀️ Still. I’ve never heard a piece of his that I haven’t fallen in love with. Even Bolero, as repetitive as that is. 😂 Ravel is my favorite composer-by far. ❤️🎼
Ravel's playing this piece seems to me to evoke a music box ......... and, yes, even the little twirling ballerina on the top. Even with that, I always weep.
I thought the same thing. He is letting the melody speak for itself like the pretty thing that it is. Just like a little music box. Especially at the beginning.
A song that my mother was listening with tears in her eyes . My favorite song that smells of my mother . From Tokyo in the dizzying Megalopolis ablaze with numerous neon lights Which national are you watching this video ?
Stunning; haunting. I've listened to this many many time but never seen this. Maestro. This is how this should be played. Its totally different. I don't know ANYTHING about music but I know what I like. N that gorgeous gentle ending!
His music has color in the harmony. I absolutely love this piece and Gaspar de la nuit. So much color from 1 instrument. His harmonic movement is unparelled
His “Miroirs” Suite is incredible, too, especially the 5th Movement IMO. Yes, the 3rd and 4th Movements are much more popular in that Suite, but I feel the 5th Movement is an underrated gem. ❤️
Je suis fasciné. Elle n'est pas aussi tragique qu'elle pense l'être. Elle est aussi radieuse. Ravel me rappelle que l'on ne fait que s'inscrire dans une continuité. Ce serait se voiler la face que se donner de l'importance. Il a créé du beau, ce fut sa vie. Il y en a eu d'autres, il y en aura d'autres. La quête de l'innovation a peu de sens, non ?
Oui, ça paraît être une incohérence, une si belle musique qui traite de la mort d'une enfant. Et pour moi c'est souvent le cas que la tristesse devient quelque-chose de beau ainsi. Henryk Gorecki, la Symphonie no. 3 les chants plaintifs, sur la Shoah, et les chansons de Schubert sur les enfants morts. Incompréhensible.
This performance is beyond description , and full of admiration , acclaim and deep emotion , and comfortable to the ear and the mind From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
Delicately and delightful...played by the composer who enriches the music by his style as he the composer intended it to be heard for himself and others. Really greatness at work, pure genius and timeless.
This was my favorite Ravel work (usually heard in the orchestrated version) until I heard the "Adagio assai" from his piano Concerto in G. In my listening experience, these are uncharacteristic of his work.
What a versatile musician Ravel was❗ Listening to Ravel’s music, the passage of time Ìs visible to me There Ìs time when I can see eternity I am a wanderer through time Someday, somewhere, I will meet Ravel and Princess Margarita
I've listened to a lot of deferent types of songs and bands from rock and dubstep to jazz and even sea shanties but this this hits deferent and I like it.
I’ve read that Ravel never intended for this to be a “dirge”, or even a sad piece of music. Rather, it was a piece of music out-of-time for Princesses who had passed. But it was not about their passing. I’ve listened to many versions of this piece of music, and am so glad to hear it from the Composer himself. I believe I like Ravel’s interpretation best of all. A haunting piece of music, no matter where, when, or by whom it is performed.
Hearing Ravel's version of this piece and the recording I have of this piece that was played much slower is different, and from my perspective, it changes the scenery of the piece when I hear it.
I have read that when Ravel was asked what "princess" he was writing this piece about, he said there was no "princess". He just wrote the piece. Personally, I think he didn't realize how powerful this piece is, and might be surprised at the way it is interpreted now. In other performances, I feel it evokes the overwhelming poignancy of the death of a beautiful young one. I was really surprised to hear how Ravel played it. It's certainly charming, but, I think he misses the great potential of the piece. It wouldn't be the first time an artist struck gold unconsciously. The muse was with him when he wrote it.
It is wonderful, hearing the composer, the creator, in action, with sounds that stir the deep parts of our souls. New approaches to sound, chords, lines, melody in its spread today, never lost or outpassed...
Wow. I first listened to this music from an rpg i played back then called Breath of FIRE IV. One of its OSTs used this music. Pavane for a Dead Princess.
The notes beneath that supports the min melody is like the hidden emotions of hurt locked deep inside his heart. Like depths of the ocean the surface is beautiful but the deeper you get, it hurts like feeling of drowning.
Something that adds a lot of moment to the internal commentary the composer infuses into this performance of this piece. I think it's valuable for the instrumentalist learning the piece.
@@Hailey_Paige_1937 daphnis et chloe is my all time favorite, close seconds are ma mere l'oye and the string quartet ! but i love eveything hahaha what about you?
@@tttenebre Piano Concerto for the Left Hand Sonatine Miroirs L’Enfant et les Sortiléges Daphnis et Chloe Ma Mère l’Oye Pavane for a Dead Princess And more, haha.
it sounds like looking through the room and personal belongings of the dead princess--seeing her photos and smelling her perfumes. knowing she is gone, but experiencing her memory.
Ci sono dei brani come questo che io non conoscevo prima di due giorni fa che esprimono la voce di Dio. La Meditation di Massenet è un esempio. Questo brano è riuscito ad impadronirsi del mio animo e ad aiutarmi ad esprimere la mie visioni ed emozioni con totale naturalezza nella sua magnificenza. Il Tombeau de Couperin è un' altra composizione impressionante per la sua meraviglia unica. In questi giorni ho ascoltato anche Eugene D' Albert che fu anche straordinario compositore e altri pianisti in registrazioni della fine dell' Ottocento/ prima metà del Novecento. Ho scoperto una IMMENSA SENSIBILITÀ musicale data da un gusto esecutivo e da una passione quasi perduta al giorno d' oggi dove sembra spesso essere rilevante il solo "freddo" virtuosismo, anche esso magnifico ed importantissimo ma da praticare sapendo trasmettere emozione .
Vous pouvez écouter les chansons dessinées par le label lui-même ! !! !! Immédiatement devant moi, j'avais l'impression que Label lui-même jouait du piano ! Merci de nous faire écouter cette chanson.
@@joost505 Dementia of a sort, but almost certainly caused by a head injury after a traffic accident. In October 1932 Ravel was injured when a taxi he was travelling in crashed; his mental decline began there.
I don't know why people treat this piece as a funereal piece or something so extremely sad. It would better be translated as "Pavane for a Princess from a Far-Away Time," simply a nostalgic memory about a young girl who is going about her regular, day-today life without all the sadness and bombast the current hearers want to load into it.
I agree, but unfortunately most people seem to want music to be sad, or at least think that sadness and tragedy are the height of musical expression. Hence the common preference for slow movements and the often desperate attempt to link them to some drama in the composer's life.
It's because people don't want to pay attention to the music and draw their interpretations from within the score, which is the appropriate thing to do but which is, unfortunately, beyond the musical ability of most hack musicians. And to those below who are being disagreeable: "When asked by the composer-conductor Manoah Leide-Tedesco how he arrived at the title Pavane pour une infante défunte, Ravel smiled coyly and replied, "Do not be surprised, that title has nothing to do with the composition. I simply liked the sound of those words and I put them there, c'est tout".
Do you think in the "afterlife" we get treated to even more music by the great, of which Ravel was certainly one? Why is it (perhaps even more in the orchestrated version) with literally 4 seconds, your heart breaks?
I once heard a man relate that in a near-death experience not only there was music but you could listen to a dozen pieces of music at a time and enjoy each one as if you were giving it your undivided attention, and that there was both familiar and unfamiliar music, all of it very beautiful.
@@raycaruso8026 Sounds good (literally) to me! I sometimes wonder if the marvels we have on earth (via our Friend Mozart and others) will only be exponentially equisite in the afterlife (if there is one). Unimaginable, but I"ll try it out. Do you know the beginning of Tolkien's "The Silmarillion" It begins with the creator making music and calling things into being. Gorgeous. And much more interesting than Genesis (and better written).
A treat to hear his own rendition. Played with Innocent charm, at times haltingly. Does anyone know much about ravel's relations with his Spanish mother? One feels there's a lot of closeness there. A wonderful find!
Although he was known for his genius as a composer, for some reason he’s not as well-regarded for his playing abilities... however, you can hear his intentions and genius musical sensitivity in this recording. Very reserved - fairly steady throughout with only a little rubato here and there. It’s slow, but it’s not a dirge! The inner lines are brought out beautifully. I guess this recording also settles the debate on the metronome marking editors still fuss over lol! Much closer to 54 bpm than 80! If you want a faster pavane, go play the beautiful one written by Fauré!
He wasn't well-known as a pianist because, despite his obvious talents, he had no interest in merely playing the piano -- he wanted to compose for it. And once, when he was asked to perform Jeux D'eau, he said, "But I have never played it in my life!"
It's relative, he won first prize for piano performance at the paris conservatory as a student so I wouldn't give that too much weight, like barenboim or ashkenazy, they can play just as well but have talents elsewhere
Tokyo , where the hustle and bustle swirl , is clear autumn . I am astounded that this performance is incomparable . I am listening to this favorite music while hearing the sings of autumn insects that chirp with transient life . From Tokyo in the dizzying Megalopolis ablaze with numerous neon lights Which national are you watching this video ?
@@Dixieland1806 ありがとう‼️Arigato ! ( Japanese thanks ) How is France where we Japanese deeply love and respect ? Japan , especially Tokyo is cruel and hustle and bustle with the Coronavirus infection . In the neighborhood of Tokyo , all the cherry blossoms in full bloom have been scattered , and the cherry trees become only green leaves . After having been scattered , there are the lacking and pensive atmosphere . In this spring of Tokyo , all banquet under the cherry blossoms in full bloom having gorgeous Bento , delicious foods , treats and drinks while dancing , eating , singing and drinking is perfect self - restraint . In Tokyo , more and more people are using bicycles to commute to work . They are afraid of Coronavirus infection on trains and buses . At bicycles shops , folding bicycles between 2000 euros and 3000 euros are selling well . Coronavirus fear surpasses the amount . Don't be careless Be on the alert for Coronavirus infection Just talking or touching are infected . Good luck ! Hang in there ! France !
This is the culmination of Ravel's aesthetics . I am only intoxicated with this incomparable performance and this Ravel's masterpiece . From chaotic Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun . Which country is your ?
@@samratpalunwa139 ありがとう‼️ Japanese thank-you ! Japan is autumn . In the autumn , the plaintive chirp of the ephemeral life's autumn insects permeates our Japanese hearts from 1000years ago . Do you have the Japanese way of thinking about the atmosphere and wistful and sadness of autumn ? Take care of yourself Good luck ! Be on the alert for Coronavirus infection !
For its time, a pretty straight interpretation, but it is said that Ravel (like Fauré) didn't like a lot of rubato, with arbitrary emotional slowing down and speeding up at the whim of the performer. It's a wonderful thing to have such easy access to recordings by such marvellous musicians as Ravel. Even if some of the pianists who heard him play found him technically slightly 'sloppy', one has to ask what they were expecting from a full-time, and very meticulous composer... You can't be a full-time virtuoso pianist as well - because of the hours of practice you have to put in - unless you're Rachmaninoff, of course...
This performance is a treasure of the world From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵 I might have a dream of Ravel walking in the crowds of Paris . talking to Debussy . This dream is the ultimate in bliss for me .
Thank you for choosing to upload this audio recording, though something strange has happened to the original sound, perhaps extra reverb which makes the pitches uncertain. The original audiio recording of this music roll was made by Denis Hall, of London, England, and supplied by him to Pierian Records, since the late Ken Caswell, of Austin, Texas, did not have a Duo-Art piano. Denis made recordings of three Ravel Duo-Art rolls, which was done as a favour to Ken, who was a good friend of both Denis and me. It seems to me that the years of work on such pianos, restoring and regulating both the piano and player actions, ought to be properly credited on RUclips. The piano used was a 1922 Hamburg Steinway grand, with Duo-Art mechanisms installed by the Aeolian Company's German agency in Berlin. It's all too easy to forget the people whose work helped to create these recordings, and I would include in that Reginald Reynolds, the Duo-Art recording producer in London in the 1920s. Furthermore, I see that someone called William Orbit is credited as the writer of this video, whatever that may mean. He is certainly not a player piano expert, or I should have heard of him, and it's not at all clear to me that he is a Ravel expert either. He makes RUclips videos of heavily synthesized classical music, one of which happens to be this composition, in a version totally unlike this video. He is not the writer of the original Pierian CD notes, nor did he have anything whatsoever to do with the audio recording, so he should not be credited here. I shall repeat this comment on other RUclips channels as necessary.
Have some respect for an old great who could write a song each day of the week and any one of them would make your year-long efforts look amateur and robotic in comparison.
He plays it very classically, without sentiment, and with brisee (broken) chords, as well as carefully arpeggiated chords. It's really much more suited to the harp than the piano.
Inderdaad fantastische muziek ik luister vaak de versie voor Harmonie orkest. Maar hier door de meester gespeeld klinkt prachtig zoals hij het voelt en bedoeld.
Without this masterpiece , I would have not known Princess Margarita's portraits I am deeply moved by this masterpiece while watching these portraits From Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
One hates to disagree with the composer himself, but I suspect he played this faster than it really ought to be played because he was overly tired of the many performances in his day which sentimentalized the piece by playing it much too slowly. But Ravel was a consummate artist and composer, and one who well knew that a Pavane is a dance, and that it thus must be played slowly enough to be danced. He doesn't do that here -- but, as the composer, he's of course entitled to play it however he wants.
To hear the composer play his composition is indeed a joy.
This is a requiem for a late (dead) child of the female gender that he adored.
C'est horriblement mal joué! Ecoutez la merveilleuse interprétation de Alice Sara Ott
But-
@@pierrebordes104 how can you say this is played?
@@talon_how_ya_durrin5534 It is absolutely not. He literally said he chose the title because he liked the words and that it had nothing to do with the composition.
What I've learned from this recording is that the composer truly does have more insight than anyone else. Ravel emphasised a lot of the inner voicings rather than "main melody" which a lot of pianists tend to neglect. Examples: 1:28 - 1:30, 4:15 - 4:19.
He also arpeggiated a lot of the chords rather than play it straight, keeping the sound very flowy and ethereal. Plus THAT ENDING! Pianists usually play it earsplittingly loud, whereas he simply faded out ever-so-gently. God bless Ravel.
Mehra Ahsan That’s absolutely right I agree with you, that a composer knows more about his/her piece than anyone else. Ever since I heard this recording and saw your comment, I’ve been trying to bring out the inner voices in this piece. Truly god bless Ravel, and any other person and composer who could play this well.
I'm a little confused, because 1:28 - 1:30 is actually marked on the score as a separate voice. It seems any pianist worth their salt should know to coax out the melody.
Edit: also want to add that my edition of the Pavane is marked fortissimo at the end. It does sound horrible any louder than mezzo-forte, but ff is supposedly what's instructed.
@@flyingpenandpaper6119 This comment chain reminded me of a similar discussion regarding Percy Grainger's "Irish Tune from County Derry".
@@padraicfanning7055 Alright then.
thank you Mehra for this insightful comment. i am a pianist beginning composer learning my music theory and this is really useful for me. Kempff was a master at inner voicings!
Wow what a master, he can just sit still - not even touching the keyboard - and play this masterpiece
Lol
Silly goose!🕊
Haha
...and with a cigarette in his hand too!!!
Actually he uses wind from REB (rapid eye blinking). Its imperceptible but it is there. French school REB. Very few people know that the photograph was taken by himself too.
The way he deals with the dissonance is incredible - its like his own language that no one else can understand
My mother once told me Ravel was my great-grandfather's favorite composer. I used to think his music was a bit boring, but now that I have grown mature myself I love it!
Ravel is by far my favorite composer. His Left-Hand Piano Concerto and Daphnis et Chloe are my favorite works by him-along with this piece, of course-and many others: Sonatine (especially the 2nd Movement), La Valse, Miroirs, Gaspard de la Nuit, Ma Mére l’Oye, his “Three Poems of Stephanne Malarme” Song Cycle, and his Opera: “L’Enfant et les Sortiléges”. ❤️❤️❤️
@@Hailey_Paige_1937 Ravel is my favorite too
@@Hailey_Paige_1937Have you heard the second movement of The Piano Concerto in G Major? It's very beautiful.
@@davidsheriff9274 It's stunning. So perfect.
But oooh Gaspard de la Nuit also!
@@wallacememberships Gaspard is wonderful. It took a little more time for me to get into it,it was kind of out there,it didn't seem to have the melodic quality that I am used to with Ravel, but then I listened to Michelangeli play it and I understood what all the fuss was about, it's a remarkable piece. It's the same with Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand, I wasn't getting it when I first heard it, it seems so disjointed and unmusical, I have listened to it a few more times, I still don't really like it but it's growing on me. Have you heard The String Quartet in F Major? It's another one of my favorites.
Yes, Ravel recorded this on a roll. Although he is reputed to have called for this to be played vary slowly, this is actually faster than several modern recordings. Still that takes nothing away from this piece. Truly one of the masterpieces.
He famously told one young pianist whom he thought played it too slowly, "I have written a Pavane for a dead princess -- not a dead Pavane for a princess."
I think it is because of the limitation of the recording technique of that time. Rachmaninoff also played his pn concerto faster than it should be in the recording.
I think I read somewhere that piano rolls can be played at various tempi-it's possible this might not be his tempo.
To be honest, I prefer this tempo
I listened to it at normal (1x) speed and again at .75x speed, which turns out to sound closer to the tempo of modern recordings, though almost too slow. The glisses and pauses sound less rushed and more realistic, in my opinion.There's a bit of distortion, though, so I get why it's at the tempo it's at
It's actually crazy how much he got out of the piano. Ravel was more expressive playing this piece than any orchestra I've heard playing it. And he definitely didn't play a "dead pavane", this is a good pace and he doesn't try to make it more emotional by slowing it down. If it's played too slow it's music for a funeral procession, not a dance after the funeral.
I’ve never heard this piece played more beautifully.
What a different interpretation! The pianist certainly has a bigger view on death, separation and departure. He didn’t stick in a sorrow loop and magnifying those emotions, he jumped out of it, seeing it from above or as a person who lived it through. Seeing the matter with wit. He made it light.
What a different insight - perhaps part of the reason for this feeling is the very firm, definite way he plays his chords and uses the pedal. The piece can be tragic or triumphant - he plays on the side of triumph.
Maurice Ravel himself said that the piece wasn't meant for mourning. He was just imagining the type of Pavane she'd might have danced to if she were still alive.
@@LM632 yeah it was designed more as a celebration of her life
I agree
I think his piece was not about death . It was about life . The lightness & heaviness & every so fine nuance in Between .
I always come back to this version. I love the way Ravel plays (I’m aware this is a piano roll, but this is the closest we’ll ever get to hearing Ravel himself playing in this life). The colors are vibrant. The tempo isn’t too slow-or a “dead Pavane” as Ravel himself said once when critiquing a performance he heard from a student. The way he arpeggiates most of the chords brings out more of the inner voices. The harmonies weave so well together. I’ve seen plenty of comments here saying this interpretation is too fast. I feel this is perfect-representing the princess dancing freely, rather than coming off as a funeral march.
There’s a piano roll recording of Ravel’s “Le Gibet” from Gaspard de la Nuit, along with “La Valleé des Cloches” from his Miroirs Suite. Both are beautifully-crafted, graceful, dreamy performances, but “La Valleé des Cloches” especially gives me goosebumps and can get me teary-eyed at times. I beg to differ when people say Ravel wasn’t a good performer. Granted, Ravel held that view about himself as well, but he was also very self-critical anyway. 🤷🏻♀️ Still. I’ve never heard a piece of his that I haven’t fallen in love with. Even Bolero, as repetitive as that is. 😂 Ravel is my favorite composer-by far. ❤️🎼
When you say a "piano roll" remember that they were 'cut' while the performer was playing.
My three favorite French composers are Rameau, Berlioz, and Ravel.
He was a master of clarity and expression on that instrument.
I am getting goosebumps listening to RAVEL playing this mystical sad piece. Thanks to the publisher.
I always thought that he was asked to compose a song for a real child princess that died.
The song has so much meaningful sound.
Ravel's playing this piece seems to me to evoke a music box ......... and, yes, even the little twirling ballerina on the top. Even with that, I always weep.
You know, I never thought of it as a music box until now. Really cool way to think about it.
I thought the same thing. He is letting the melody speak for itself like the pretty thing that it is. Just like a little music box. Especially at the beginning.
Because this is literally the same as a music box, holes in a paper roll not a live recording
Sublime. I heard lines I'd never heard before. What an enchanting performance! Thanks
1:28 - 1:30 is an example of this. The inner voice of the right hand is something no one has ever really emphasised!
A song that my mother was listening with tears in her eyes .
My favorite song that smells of my mother .
From Tokyo in the dizzying Megalopolis ablaze with numerous neon lights
Which national are you watching this video ?
Australia
Canada
Colombia
Jamaica
Spain
As a person who rarely plays pieces from 20th century, I couldn't be more glad to hear the composer's to play his own piece! Indeed a masterpiece!
Stunning; haunting. I've listened to this many many time but never seen this. Maestro. This is how this should be played. Its totally different. I don't know ANYTHING about music but I know what I like. N that gorgeous gentle ending!
I love this piece so much and never get tired of hearing it.
His music has color in the harmony. I absolutely love this piece and Gaspar de la nuit. So much color from 1 instrument. His harmonic movement is unparelled
A wonderful piece. Fritz Reiner Made it suitable Forum Orchester in Themen right Tempo Not too fast
His “Miroirs” Suite is incredible, too, especially the 5th Movement IMO. Yes, the 3rd and 4th Movements are much more popular in that Suite, but I feel the 5th Movement is an underrated gem. ❤️
The best as originally intended by the composer himself. Thank you whomever uploaded this piece and to Ravel himself.
Je suis fasciné. Elle n'est pas aussi tragique qu'elle pense l'être. Elle est aussi radieuse.
Ravel me rappelle que l'on ne fait que s'inscrire dans une continuité. Ce serait se voiler la face que se donner de l'importance. Il a créé du beau, ce fut sa vie. Il y en a eu d'autres, il y en aura d'autres. La quête de l'innovation a peu de sens, non ?
Oui, ça paraît être une incohérence, une si belle musique qui traite de la mort d'une enfant. Et pour moi c'est souvent le cas que la tristesse devient quelque-chose de beau ainsi. Henryk Gorecki, la Symphonie no. 3 les chants plaintifs, sur la Shoah, et les chansons de Schubert sur les enfants morts. Incompréhensible.
@@maiqueashworth
Maybe the princess didn’t die as a child, but lived over 100 years. I hope so
This composition is so wonderfully breathtaking. There's something about it that is just so painful and haunting but in the most subtle way.
One of my favourite pieces - this is truly wonderful.
This performance is beyond description , and full of admiration , acclaim and deep emotion , and comfortable to the ear and the mind
From
Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
Émotion presque radieuse. Le tempo nous emmène et l’esprit de la danse reste présent
Delicately and delightful...played by the composer who enriches the music by his style as he the composer intended it to be heard for himself and others. Really greatness at work, pure genius and timeless.
I love that the chords changes and moving melodic lines are not olibterated by over-pedalling! So distinct!
I swear the angels communicated these melodies. Just magic
This was my favorite Ravel work (usually heard in the orchestrated version) until I heard the "Adagio assai" from his piano Concerto in G. In my listening experience, these are uncharacteristic of his work.
Poignante interprétation par l'auteur de ce chef d'oeuvre.
大好きなパバーヌ❗ラベルご本人の演奏で、拝聴出来るなんて夢のようです😆🎵🎵配信本当にありがとうございます😆💕✨
He plays a lot like me--not a big compliment. The song is perfect.
So beautiful-and to think it’s played by Ravel himself! In these sad days it reminds me of our own Princess Elizabeth before she became Queen.
What a versatile musician Ravel was❗
Listening to Ravel’s music,
the passage of time Ìs visible to me
There Ìs time when I can see eternity
I am a wanderer through time
Someday, somewhere,
I will meet Ravel and Princess Margarita
I've listened to a lot of deferent types of songs and bands from rock and dubstep to jazz and even sea shanties but this this hits deferent and I like it.
The harmonies here are quite modern-sounding
I’ve read that Ravel never intended for this to be a “dirge”, or even a sad piece of music. Rather, it was a piece of music out-of-time for Princesses who had passed. But it was not about their passing.
I’ve listened to many versions of this piece of music, and am so glad to hear it from the Composer himself. I believe I like Ravel’s interpretation best of all.
A haunting piece of music, no matter where, when, or by whom it is performed.
In Ravel‘s performance,
all is far superior splendor, and amazing by an order of magnitude more awesome
From
A corner of Tokyo of Japan
Hearing Ravel's version of this piece and the recording I have of this piece that was played much slower is different, and from my perspective, it changes the scenery of the piece when I hear it.
I have read that when Ravel was asked what "princess" he was writing this piece about, he said there was no "princess". He just wrote the piece. Personally, I think he didn't realize how powerful this piece is, and might be surprised at the way it is interpreted now. In other performances, I feel it evokes the overwhelming poignancy of the death of a beautiful young one. I was really surprised to hear how Ravel played it. It's certainly charming, but, I think he misses the great potential of the piece. It wouldn't be the first time an artist struck gold unconsciously. The muse was with him when he wrote it.
It is wonderful, hearing the composer, the creator, in action, with sounds that stir the deep parts of our souls. New approaches to sound, chords, lines, melody in its spread today, never lost or outpassed...
I adore Maurice Ravel
Parmis les plus belles musiques à jamais dans mon âme joue cette tendre mélodie
Wow. I first listened to this music from an rpg i played back then called Breath of FIRE IV. One of its OSTs used this music. Pavane for a Dead Princess.
From the source...a true genius Ravel sets the bar
Such a beautiful and delicate piece!
The notes beneath that supports the min melody is like the hidden emotions of hurt locked deep inside his heart. Like depths of the ocean the surface is beautiful but the deeper you get, it hurts like feeling of drowning.
Like melancholy inside connected to a dream! Chords linking the two.
Thank you so very much for uploading this treasure! I have no words❤
Something that adds a lot of moment to the internal commentary the composer infuses into this performance of this piece. I think it's valuable for the instrumentalist learning the piece.
Wonderful composer !!! I really like ! Thank you Mr Ravel.
how special it is to be able to listen to this! my favorite composer
Mine too! I’ve never heard a piece by Ravel that I don’t love. ❤️
@@Hailey_Paige_1937 everything he did was masterful! i can't get over his works
@@tttenebre
What are your favorite works of his? ☺️
@@Hailey_Paige_1937 daphnis et chloe is my all time favorite, close seconds are ma mere l'oye and the string quartet ! but i love eveything hahaha what about you?
@@tttenebre
Piano Concerto for the Left Hand
Sonatine
Miroirs
L’Enfant et les Sortiléges
Daphnis et Chloe
Ma Mère l’Oye
Pavane for a Dead Princess
And more, haha.
Very nice piano music... I like ravel...
it sounds like looking through the room and personal belongings of the dead princess--seeing her photos and smelling her perfumes. knowing she is gone, but experiencing her memory.
Ci sono dei brani come questo che io non conoscevo prima di due giorni fa che esprimono la voce di Dio. La Meditation di Massenet è un esempio. Questo brano è riuscito ad impadronirsi del mio animo e ad aiutarmi ad esprimere la mie visioni ed emozioni con totale naturalezza nella sua magnificenza. Il Tombeau de Couperin è un' altra composizione impressionante per la sua meraviglia unica. In questi giorni ho ascoltato anche Eugene D' Albert che fu anche straordinario compositore e altri pianisti in registrazioni della fine dell' Ottocento/ prima metà del Novecento. Ho scoperto una IMMENSA SENSIBILITÀ musicale data da un gusto esecutivo e da una passione quasi perduta al giorno d' oggi dove sembra spesso essere rilevante il solo "freddo" virtuosismo, anche esso magnifico ed importantissimo ma da praticare sapendo trasmettere emozione .
Vous pouvez écouter les chansons dessinées par le label lui-même ! !! !!
Immédiatement devant moi, j'avais l'impression que Label lui-même jouait du piano !
Merci de nous faire écouter cette chanson.
Sadly he died at the age of 62.
62 was well above the average age for someone born when he was, so he didn't do too badly!
Not well above. În the '30-s the average age was already higher than a couple decades ago.
This is not the point. The world lost an extremely gifted composer and it was in the 20th century that he died so I am not sure that this is relevant.
Yeah he died from a rare case of dementia. This certain type of dementia also gave him amusia which is why the bolero has such a consistent melody.
@@joost505 Dementia of a sort, but almost certainly caused by a head injury after a traffic accident. In October 1932 Ravel was injured when a taxi he was travelling in crashed; his mental decline began there.
I don't know why people treat this piece as a funereal piece or something so extremely sad. It would better be translated as "Pavane for a Princess from a Far-Away Time," simply a nostalgic memory about a young girl who is going about her regular, day-today life without all the sadness and bombast the current hearers want to load into it.
It is quite a melancholy-sounding piece though. I agree, it doesn't have to be, but it does also sound very convincing in a lamenting tone.
I agree, but unfortunately most people seem to want music to be sad, or at least think that sadness and tragedy are the height of musical expression. Hence the common preference for slow movements and the often desperate attempt to link them to some drama in the composer's life.
The French title means pavane for a dead princess (défunte means dead).
It's because people don't want to pay attention to the music and draw their interpretations from within the score, which is the appropriate thing to do but which is, unfortunately, beyond the musical ability of most hack musicians.
And to those below who are being disagreeable:
"When asked by the composer-conductor Manoah Leide-Tedesco how he arrived at the title Pavane pour une infante défunte, Ravel smiled coyly and replied, "Do not be surprised, that title has nothing to do with the composition. I simply liked the sound of those words and I put them there, c'est tout".
Ravel was being coy, French irony when someone asks a direct question, treat it like annoying inquiry.
My ears are melting now..
Ravel interpreta su obra de forma preciosa en la cual la difunta es la princesa y no la pavana, y la obra resulta conmovedora en vez de melodramática.
Do you think in the "afterlife" we get treated to even more music by the great, of which Ravel was certainly one?
Why is it (perhaps even more in the orchestrated version) with literally 4 seconds, your heart breaks?
I once heard a man relate that in a near-death experience not only there was music but you could listen to a dozen pieces of music at a time and enjoy each one as if you were giving it your undivided attention, and that there was both familiar and unfamiliar music, all of it very beautiful.
@@raycaruso8026 Sounds good (literally) to me! I sometimes wonder if the marvels we have on earth (via our Friend Mozart and others) will only be exponentially equisite in the afterlife (if there is one). Unimaginable, but I"ll try it out.
Do you know the beginning of Tolkien's "The Silmarillion" It begins with the creator making music and calling things into being. Gorgeous. And much more interesting than Genesis (and better written).
the Choirs of Angels sing with much more beauty than our music. One instant in heaven is better than all the works of man
The painting is Margaret Theresa of Spain by Diego Velazquez.
A treat to hear his own rendition. Played with Innocent charm, at times haltingly. Does anyone know much about ravel's relations with his Spanish mother? One feels there's a lot of closeness there. A wonderful find!
I have an identical Erard piano like the one he has here in this vintage photo seated at.
this is a treasure recording
pure beauty
He was a good pianist!
Although he was known for his genius as a composer, for some reason he’s not as well-regarded for his playing abilities... however, you can hear his intentions and genius musical sensitivity in this recording. Very reserved - fairly steady throughout with only a little rubato here and there. It’s slow, but it’s not a dirge! The inner lines are brought out beautifully. I guess this recording also settles the debate on the metronome marking editors still fuss over lol! Much closer to 54 bpm than 80! If you want a faster pavane, go play the beautiful one written by Fauré!
He wasn't well-known as a pianist because, despite his obvious talents, he had no interest in merely playing the piano -- he wanted to compose for it. And once, when he was asked to perform Jeux D'eau, he said, "But I have never played it in my life!"
It's relative, he won first prize for piano performance at the paris conservatory as a student so I wouldn't give that too much weight, like barenboim or ashkenazy, they can play just as well but have talents elsewhere
Tokyo , where the hustle and bustle swirl , is clear autumn . I am astounded that this performance is incomparable .
I am listening to this favorite music while hearing the sings of autumn insects that chirp with transient life .
From Tokyo in the dizzying Megalopolis ablaze with numerous neon lights
Which national are you watching this video ?
Shin-i-chi Kozima from France. Cheers
@@Dixieland1806
ありがとう‼️Arigato ! ( Japanese thanks )
How is France where we Japanese deeply love and respect ?
Japan , especially Tokyo is cruel and hustle and bustle with the Coronavirus infection .
In the neighborhood of Tokyo , all the cherry blossoms in full bloom have been scattered , and the cherry trees become only green leaves .
After having been scattered , there are the lacking and pensive atmosphere .
In this spring of Tokyo , all banquet under the cherry blossoms in full bloom having gorgeous Bento , delicious foods , treats and drinks while dancing , eating , singing and drinking is perfect self - restraint .
In Tokyo , more and more people are using bicycles to commute to work .
They are afraid of Coronavirus infection on trains and buses .
At bicycles shops , folding bicycles between 2000 euros and 3000 euros are selling well .
Coronavirus fear surpasses the amount .
Don't be careless
Be on the alert for Coronavirus infection
Just talking or
touching are infected .
Good luck !
Hang in there ! France !
This is the culmination of Ravel's aesthetics .
I am only intoxicated with this incomparable performance and this Ravel's masterpiece .
From chaotic Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun .
Which country is your ?
Shin-i-chi Kozima, This piece makes me melancholic.
From a small town Dharan from the Land of Gurkhas, Nepal.
@@samratpalunwa139
ありがとう‼️
Japanese thank-you !
Japan is autumn .
In the autumn ,
the plaintive chirp of the ephemeral life's autumn insects permeates our Japanese hearts from 1000years ago .
Do you have the Japanese way of thinking about the atmosphere and wistful and sadness of autumn ?
Take care of yourself
Good luck !
Be on the alert for Coronavirus infection !
Just beautiful!
"Vous ne comprenez rien à votre musique. Elle sera sans effet si je ne la joue pas à ma manière"
Signé Toscanini
Ravel is the Alchemist of the soul
Ravel will turn sorrows into pleasures
Nothing is impossible in Ravel‘s music power
For its time, a pretty straight interpretation, but it is said that Ravel (like Fauré) didn't like a lot of rubato, with arbitrary emotional slowing down and speeding up at the whim of the performer. It's a wonderful thing to have such easy access to recordings by such marvellous musicians as Ravel. Even if some of the pianists who heard him play found him technically slightly 'sloppy', one has to ask what they were expecting from a full-time, and very meticulous composer... You can't be a full-time virtuoso pianist as well - because of the hours of practice you have to put in - unless you're Rachmaninoff, of course...
I know what sheet music was in the picture...Ondine from Gaspard de la nuit.
How cool! Thank you!
has to be my favorite classical song
so many colours, like life!!!
So jewel like. Which fits him.
This performance is a treasure of the world
From
Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
I might have a dream of Ravel walking in the crowds of Paris . talking to Debussy .
This dream is the ultimate in bliss for me .
How is this recording so clear considering it’s from the early 20th century.
Thank you for choosing to upload this audio recording, though something strange has happened to the original sound, perhaps extra reverb which makes the pitches uncertain. The original audiio recording of this music roll was made by Denis Hall, of London, England, and supplied by him to Pierian Records, since the late Ken Caswell, of Austin, Texas, did not have a Duo-Art piano. Denis made recordings of three Ravel Duo-Art rolls, which was done as a favour to Ken, who was a good friend of both Denis and me. It seems to me that the years of work on such pianos, restoring and regulating both the piano and player actions, ought to be properly credited on RUclips. The piano used was a 1922 Hamburg Steinway grand, with Duo-Art mechanisms installed by the Aeolian Company's German agency in Berlin. It's all too easy to forget the people whose work helped to create these recordings, and I would include in that Reginald Reynolds, the Duo-Art recording producer in London in the 1920s. Furthermore, I see that someone called William Orbit is credited as the writer of this video, whatever that may mean. He is certainly not a player piano expert, or I should have heard of him, and it's not at all clear to me that he is a Ravel expert either. He makes RUclips videos of heavily synthesized classical music, one of which happens to be this composition, in a version totally unlike this video. He is not the writer of the original Pierian CD notes, nor did he have anything whatsoever to do with the audio recording, so he should not be credited here. I shall repeat this comment on other RUclips channels as necessary.
As a pianist, Ravel is a good composer. lol
And you´re nothing in any aspect.
Javier Zubizarreta lmao
Have some respect for an old great who could write a song each day of the week and any one of them would make your year-long efforts look amateur and robotic in comparison.
Sean Stewart calm down, you must be an elitist
Danny R.Z oh damn i didn’t even notice that, good spotting
I can feel his interpretation ❤
This was in his piano roll phase
Brilliant!
Великолепно!
Beautiful
Greeting from Japan
This is the thema song of Princess
Margarita and her requiem
It is sublime.
there is one version online with a Clarinet i think.. and it was beautiful
Stunning quite beautiful
Noononono.... plz tell me this is real???
我也聽過德布西親自演奏自己作品的版本,竟然與現在的詮釋有些出入 ! 現代演奏家或許能「調味」出更悅耳的音樂性,但另一方面是否也表示對原曲意的不了解 !?
He plays it very classically, without sentiment, and with brisee (broken) chords, as well as carefully arpeggiated chords. It's really much more suited to the harp than the piano.
Such an unknown piece, how!?
Priceless.
gracias!! quería encontrar estas grabaciones!
leuk om de man zelf te horen spelen. In die tijd waren de opnametechnieken nog primitief. Daar moet je doorheen luisteren
Inderdaad fantastische muziek ik luister vaak de versie voor Harmonie orkest.
Maar hier door de meester gespeeld klinkt prachtig zoals hij het voelt en bedoeld.
Het zou toch zo leuk zijn als deze technologie in de tijd van Bach al beschikbaar zou zijn.
Without this masterpiece ,
I would have not known Princess Margarita's portraits
I am deeply moved by this masterpiece while watching these portraits
From
Tokyo of the Land of the Rising Sun 🇯🇵
Merci Monsieur RAVEL
What is perfect?
A world without sadness, baby
There needs to be dance choreography to go with this
Doesn't get any better.
One hates to disagree with the composer himself, but I suspect he played this faster than it really ought to be played because he was overly tired of the many performances in his day which sentimentalized the piece by playing it much too slowly. But Ravel was a consummate artist and composer, and one who well knew that a Pavane is a dance, and that it thus must be played slowly enough to be danced. He doesn't do that here -- but, as the composer, he's of course entitled to play it however he wants.