How Ravel Orchestrated

A breakthrough in orchestration instruction, this text presents an engraved score with piano parts at page bottom, the original short stories that Ravel based the work on, and a complete analysis of each movement Ravel orchestrated.

The standard Ravel biography by the world's foremost authority — brilliantly detailed and documented, filled with quotations from letters, interviews with the composer's friends, an illuminating analysis of each of his works, a study of his musical esthetics and language, a complete catalog of his works, and a discography. "Highly recommended" — Choice. Includes 48 illustrations.

Alexander details dozens of woodwind and brass writing techniques previously known by only a few top professional film orchestrators, composers, and arrangers which are applicable to both live performance and MIDI mock-ups.

An insightful and exquisitely written reconsideration of Ravel's modernity, his teaching, and his place in twentieth-century music and culture.

A comprehensive introduction to the life, music and compositional aesthetic of Maurice Ravel.

Although the moods may vary throughout these evocative works, the elegance and subtly shifting energies of their musical language could only be those of Maurice Ravel. Includes Rapsodie Espangnole, Ravel's first entirely orchestral composition; the magical Mother Goose Suite; Valses Nobles et Sentimentales; and Pavane for a Dead Princess.

Originally composed in 1890 as "Tarantelle Styrienne," Debussy reissued the piece in 1903 under the title "Danse." This is one of Debussy's most brilliant dances, and was such a favorite of Maurice Ravel's that he arranged it for orchestra in 1923.

This outstanding compilation of articles by Ravel (who was a brilliant critic) features reviews, interviews, and some 350 letters from Cocteau, Colette, de Falla, Richard Strauss, Stravinsky, and other major figures of the time.

Handsome, affordable treasury features Pavane pour une infante défunte, Jeux d'eau, Sonatine, Miroirs, Menuet antique, Gaspard de la nuit, more. Influential works belong in the repertoire of every serious pianist.