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Topic: Relatively simple Ravel pieces (Read 8380 times)

piulento

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Posts: 224

Relatively simple Ravel pieces

on: March 04, 2016, 01:47:10 PM

Hi there,
Been wondering if anybody here knows some relatively simple pieces by Ravel.
I'm looking for a "routine breaker" - something I can casually work on when I want to take a little break from the pieces I'm currently playing, and I'm really in the mood for some Ravel. Any ideas?
Level of difficulty I had in mind - something in about the level of your average Chopin nocturne, I guess.
Thanks in advance

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visitor

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Posts: 5294

Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #1 on: March 04, 2016, 02:11:13 PM

I can empathize w/ needing a bit of a 'let me catch my breath' piece, I just don't believe that a composer whose music is as complex as Ravel is the best choice to try to choose from, his harmonic pallet is incredibly broad and texture wise even when he restrains himself, it can get 'busy' even in his calmer spots.
still these comes to mind, not so bad,

this one is longer but still pretty straightforward and not so bad depending on your current abilities, it's stretch for some, not that bad for others

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https://tinyurl.com/danbo-de-piano-part-deux
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visitor

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Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #2 on: March 04, 2016, 02:28:03 PM

bonus , if you like Ravel, with a good toss of Debussy, Satie, and a little jazz flair in spots while still remaining quite lyrical, check out Hamauzu's work. Absolutely love his work, one of my most absolute favorite composers alive and cranking things out today

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https://tinyurl.com/danbo-de-piano-part-deux
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visitor

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Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #3 on: March 04, 2016, 02:37:04 PM

Written for the 100-year anniversary of Joseph Haydn's death, Menuet sur le nom d'Haydn, by Maurice Ravel, is a short minuet that uses a musical code to transform the name HAYDN into the main theme.

Ravel transforms the name as follows:
H, which in the German musical alphabet signifies B-natural;
A, which is A-natural;
Y, which, if musical alphabet is cycled through the full alphabet, produces D-natural;
D, which is D-natural; and
N, which cycled through the full alphabet gives the note G-natural.

Not only does he use the HAYDN motif for the opening theme, but he also, through the course of the piece, inverts the theme, has it occur in reverse, in the left hand, etc. One appearance of the motif occurs only when holding the sheet music itself upside-down.

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https://tinyurl.com/danbo-de-piano-part-deux
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visitor

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Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #4 on: March 04, 2016, 02:38:33 PM

these two are cool too
À la manière de... Borodine/Chabrier (1912-13)

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mjames

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Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #5 on: March 04, 2016, 04:24:48 PM

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piulento

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Posts: 224

Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #6 on: March 04, 2016, 05:30:54 PM

Wow, thanks for all the suggestions!
I really liked the Haydn menuet and À la manière de borodine. Guess I'll pick one of those

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medtnaculus

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Posts: 60

Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #7 on: March 04, 2016, 05:43:42 PM

The Menuet from his Sonatine is quite straight forward and fun to play. Far easier than the other two movements!

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chopinlover01

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Re: Relatively simple Ravel pieces

Reply #8 on: March 04, 2016, 06:02:52 PM

Agree with the suggestion o the Haydn minuet and the prelude. I've played the latter and can attest to its beauty.
The Pavane for a dead princess is also a lovely piece, albeit a bit longer and much more difficult.

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