Maurice Ravel

:For other uses of Ravel, see Ravel (disambiguation).

Biography

Ravel was born in Ciboure, France near Biarritz, part of the French Basque region, bordering on Spain). His mother was Basque while his father was a Swiss inventor and industrialist. At seven years old, young Maurice began piano lessons and composed pieces beginning about five or six years later. His parents encouraged his musical pursuits and sent him to the Conservatoire de Paris, first as a preparatory student and eventually as a piano major. During his schooling in Paris, Ravel joined with a number of innovative young composers who referred to themselves as the "Apaches" ("hooligans") because of their wild abandon. The group was well known for its drunken revelry.

Related Topics:
Ciboure - Biarritz - Basque - Spain - Swiss - Industrialist - Conservatoire de Paris - Apaches

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He studied music at the Conservatoire under Gabriel Fauré for a remarkable fourteen years. During his years at the conservatory, Ravel tried numerous times to win the prestigious Prix de Rome, but to no avail. After a scandal involving his loss of the prize, even though he was considered the favourite to win that year, Ravel left the conservatory. The incident also led to the resignation of the Conservatoire's director, Théodore Dubois. Ravel was influenced by composer Claude Debussy, and Debussy by Ravel. They were the defining composers of the impressionist movement. Ravel was also highly influenced by music from around the world including American Jazz, Asian music, and traditional folk songs from across Europe. Ravel was not religious and was probably an atheist. He disliked the overtly religious themes of other composers, such as Richard Wagner, and instead preferred to look to classical mythology for inspiration.

Related Topics:
Gabriel Fauré - Prix de Rome - Théodore Dubois - Claude Debussy - Impressionist - Jazz - Asian music - Folk songs - Europe - Religious - Atheist - Richard Wagner

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Ravel never married, but he did have several long-running relationships. He was also known to frequent the bordellos of Paris.

Related Topics:
Bordello - Paris

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During the First World War Ravel was not allowed to enlist because of his age and weak health and instead he became an ambulance driver.

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His few students included Maurice Delage and Ralph Vaughan Williams.

Related Topics:
Maurice Delage - Ralph Vaughan Williams

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In 1932 Ravel was involved in an automobile accident that severely undermined his health. His output dropped dramatically. In 1937 he had a Neuro-operation that he hoped would restore much of his health, but the operation was a failure and he died soon afterwards. He is buried in Levallois Perret (West part of Paris, France)

Related Topics:
1932 - 1937

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