Ravel quote

[mikey6]

I'm looking for Ravel talking about  interpreting (or not) his music - something about don't interpret, just read what's on the page.  I need it for an essay if anyone could give me the details.
thanks.

[jlh]

I found the quote in an article by Zygmunt Stojowski entitled "The Evolution of Style and Interpretation In Piano Literature", published in Polish Music Journal Vol. 4, No. 1, Summer 2001. ISSN 1521 - 6039.

https://www.usc.edu/dept/polish_music/PMJ/issue/4.1.01/stojowskievolution.html

"I want no interpretation, it is enough to play what is written"
-Ravel

His students also attested to this, saying that performances of his work should not deviate one iota from what is printed.  This is of course contradictory to the sound of Ravel's own piano recordings, according to this website in a review by Anatole Leikin:

https://www.sfcv.org/arts_revs/danielglover_8_19_03.php

[pita bread]

Those early recordings of Ravel and Casadesus were done on early piano-rolls. I wouldn't count those as the most reliable sources of sound.

[mikey6]

Great, thanks.

[ramseytheii]

I found the quote in an article by Zygmunt Stojowski entitled "The Evolution of Style and Interpretation In Piano Literature", published in Polish Music Journal Vol. 4, No. 1, Summer 2001. ISSN 1521 - 6039.

https://www.usc.edu/dept/polish_music/PMJ/issue/4.1.01/stojowskievolution.html

"I want no interpretation, it is enough to play what is written"
-Ravel

His students also attested to this, saying that performances of his work should not deviate one iota from what is printed.  This is of course contradictory to the sound of Ravel's own piano recordings, according to this website in a review by Anatole Leikin:

https://www.sfcv.org/arts_revs/danielglover_8_19_03.php

Also to Cortot's, who knew Ravel and was given the compositions from the composer himself.  Ravel also referred at one point to performers as "slaves." 

Walter Ramsey