Greetings everyone
I've got a doubt as to what year of a piano conservatoire a student should be faced with Ravel's piano works, in special Ma Mere l'oye suite, without having a rather frustrating experience due to a certain lack of skill or technique. What's your take on this subject?
Best wishes
Wow. This starts out questioning if "Ma Mere lóye" (which Ravel arranged for solo piano), not a very difficult piece, is too much for a first year conservatory student. Then there's all these posts about nearly all of Ravel's piano works (Gaspard, Valse Nobles, Jeux D'eau, Concerto for LH, Miroirs, etc) being
relatively easy!
Give me a break! I'm barely just an amateur (still, after 55 years of playing

). While I'm able to play Ma Mere fairly well, I don't claim to be able to perform just about any other Ravel, but I've worked with a LOT of piano students and professionals to have some idea of the difference between degrees of difficulty. These works you are suggesting for a 1st year student having
frustrations due to lack of skill & technique are ridiculous IMHO. Do you actually think such a student could just pick up a score for Gaspard or Miroirs and polish them up for performance when they're having a problem with "Ma Mere lóye"? Get serious. April Fools Day is 2 months away!
Might I suggest these: "Menuet antique", "Habanera", "Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn", the Pavan or the Berceuse; and if/when the student is ready move on to the Sonatine or Jeux D'eau. Not the Concerto for the Left Hand!
Lontano