What is your favorite Ravel piece(choose one only please)?
I'll cast my vote for Ondine.

scarbo

Scarbo

Left-hand Concerto. I think it's the best piano concerto to come out of the 20th century.

Gee, this is so difficult for me. I love everything of Ravel's (I'm learning Jeux d'eau right now), But I'll say Ondine as well.

I don't know Brendan,

It's a great work - probably the only Ravel piano work I like. But, to call it the greatest of the 20th century seems a stretch for me. Especially given Prokofieff's C Major (might be best piano concerto of all time!) and Ginastera's concerto.

Ginastera makes a stronger case than Prokofiev (for me, at least, but don't get me wrong - I love Prok 3rd). The thing with the LH Concerto is that until the time it was written, there wasn't anything that came close to its scope. True, there were various pieces by Brahms, Saint-Saens, and others for LH alone, but the level of sheer vitruosity and brilliance that Ravel achieves is unbelievable. Some of the other LH concerti (Prok 4th, Britten Diversions) don't seem to work as well as Ravel because they confine themselves to the resources of only one hand, whereas Ravel srtives for a two-handed texture.

Brendan

There's no disagreement from me that the Ravel is the greatest LH concerto (probably the greatest LH piece). He gets credit for creating a piece that upon listening it is difficult to hear this as just one hand. As much as I love Prok 3, I am not a fan of Prok 4. But, IMHO, as much color as Ravel gets with one hand, it just can't compare to Prok 3's two hands.

Oh by the way, Chopin is a much better composer than Liszt!!

[ July 26, 2001: Message edited by: Alex ]

My favorite of Ravel's piano works would be "Jeux d'eau" -bravura, beauty, and just great fun to play. I find it a pretty big stretch, no pun intended, to class the L.H. concerto as "the best" piano concerto of the 20th century. I love both the Rach 3 and Prok 3 --both very high on my list of best 20th century piano concerti, but if push came to shove I suppose Eliot Carter's Piano Concerto would be my first choice for that particular honor.

[ July 26, 2001: Message edited by: netizen ]

[ July 26, 2001: Message edited by: netizen ]

Hey Net,

Had I entered one more 20th century concerto, I would have picked Elliot Carter's. Great, great piece. Oh, I'm not sure that I would put the Rach 3 in with the 20th century composers.

To Brendan

Correct! Correct! Correct! Correct!
Flame Wars!!

FLAME ON!!!

Wow! These're impressive pix!

To me a short Chopin Mazurka says MORE than a whole lengthy Liszt symphonic poem.

I'm sorry, Andrew, but you have now declared an alliance with El Presidente, and for that I must send my minions to flame you.



[ July 27, 2001: Message edited by: Brendan ]

Now that's what I call a flame war! Anybody got any marshmallows?

You asked for it

Brendan!

You're unbelievable! I'm floored. Let's add more charcoal, shall we? Just kidding!

Cool!

But, it doesn't change the absolute truth.

But I do like hot dogs with my marshmellows.

Le President pour Vie

I thought this thread is about the favorite Ravel piece...

This is the funniest thread I've seen in a long time! You guys are hilarious!

Patti

There! Now we're back on topic!

[ July 30, 2001: Message edited by: Brendan ]

OK, I know I'm a heathen and my lack of focus will keep me from progressing much past Chopsticks but when ever I see the words "Ravel" and "piece" in the same sentence my mind immediately jumps to Bo Derek...

You guys are TOO funny. Thanks for the laugh! I don't think I've ever played anything by Ravel. I just got my new Patti Music catalog, and am itching to place an order. What do you suggest I try? Jodi

[ July 27, 2001: Message edited by: jodi ]

almost everything Ravel wrote is wonderful... but among the best are the Scarbo and Ondine from Gaspard de la Nuit, the Jeux d'eau, Une barque sur l'ocean from Miroirs, the Sonatine, the Pavane pour une infante defunte, some of the pieces from Le Tombeau de Couperin... and i like the Prelude too, and it is awfully easy as compared to everything else...=]

DT..."now you're talkin'"
When I think of Ravel, is often think of Bo, too. What part of Illinois do you live? Did you know that Bo's grandmother lived in Wood River, Illinois? In my college days, I played lots of Canasta with "Mary" and my landlady. I never met Bo in Illinois; but I did meet her at a Quarter/Paint farm in Texas!

'Course, I don't want to get off the subject...but Brendan, Chopin DOES rule. Just think of those gorgeous mazurkas.. :)...and the list goes on.........

My mom grew up in Wood River, Illinois! My Grandfather was the principal of the local high school. He convinced the school board to buy a Steinway concert grand... Jodi

I recently heard Ravel's menuet from Sonatine. It had beautiful chords and melodies.

Eldon, it must be the corn pollen that makes our minds work that way. I'm up in the center of the state, about 45 minutes from Papa Del's (ask Jodi.) My bro-in-law used to be environmental manager at the Wood River Shell plant, so we get down to Edwardsville every couple months. Didn't know Bo's granny was from area. Probably some childhood pictures of Bo and the Piasa bird around her place...

This thread was so much fun to read! Thanks for the belly laughs!

OT: [Eldon played canasta with Bo Derek???] The things you find out on these forums....

Joy