Description
Vlado Perlemuter had the privilege, as a young man in 1927, of studying all of Ravel’s solo piano music with the reclusive composer himself. The origins of this book lie in a series of programmes broadcast in 1950 by Radio Francaise in which Perlemuter played all Ravel’s compositions for solo piano and discussed them with Helene Joudan-Morange – a distinguished violinist who had been one of Ravel’s closest friends. This is a transcript of their conversations supplemented with numerous musical examples. This edition also deals with the two piano concertos. The value of Ravel According to Ravel is obvious, but the comprehensive background notes which are woven into the conversational fabric give it a much wider appeal. Performers and listeners alike will find it a fascinating guide to the magical sound-world of Ravel’s piano music.
Contents
Foreword by Vlado Perlemuter
Preface by Harold Taylor
Editorial Notes
1.1 Menuet Antique
1.2. Pavane pour une Infante Défunte
1.3. Jeux d’eau
2. Sonatine
3. Miroirs
4.1 Gaspard de la Nuit
4.2 Menuet sur le nom d’Haydn
5. Valses Nobles et Sentimentales
6.1 Ma Mère l’Oye
6.2 A la manière de…
7. Le Tombeau de Couperin
8. Piano Concertos
About the Author
Vlado Perlemuter, born in Lithuania in 1904, studied with Alfred Cortot at the Paris Conservatoire where, after winning the first prize in 1919 and the Prix d’Honneur in 1920 in his class, won the Prix Diemer in 1921. In 1951, he returned to the Conservatoire as Professor of Piano. In 1927 he studied all of Ravel’s solo piano works with the composer and played the complete oeuvre in Paris in 1929. He was a pianist of international repute and died in Paris in 2002. Hélène Jourdan-Morhange, born in Paris in 1888, was a violinist. She gave first performances of a number of Ravel’s works in 1922 but rheumatoid arthritis ended her career early. She was one of Ravel’s closest friends in the last twenty years of her life. She was married to Luc-Albert Moreau and died in 1961.
Reviews
… fascinating companion to Ravel’s piano music … yields fresh insights on each rereading
Roy Howat – Musical Times
… essential reading for all pianists …
Lionel Salter – Gramophone
… this book is a rare treasure … it is a must for any pianist or musicologist.
R Pitts – Choice
Indispensable knowledge for anyone performing Ravel or interested in knowing more about him. Those familiar with the composer will know how hard it is to come by details of his personality and personal life, so these anecdotes and pieces of performance advice are truly gems.
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