麻豆APP

Maurice Ravel. Image by Unknown-

Top 10 astonishing facts about Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel was one of the greatest French pianists, conductors, and composers who lived between 1875 and 1937. Between the 1920s and 30s, he was regarded globally as the greatest French living composer.

He became famous among many. His influence spread across numerous nations that including the US and Spain. His passion developed from a young age since he was born in a family that cherished music.

Ravel incorporated diverse elements from neoclassicism, modernism, and baroque to make perfect compositions. Looking at Ravel鈥檚 life, there are several astonishing things individuals can learn from. Below are the top ten astonishing facts about Maurice Ravel.

1. Maurice Ravel enrolled in Piano Lessons at the age of Seven

Ravel developed a passion for music from a young age due to the influence of his parents. During his childhood, his parents loved taking him to musical concerts due to their love of music.

His mum was a great inspiration. At seven, he started attending piano lessons with Henri Phys. As time passed, he started learning music composition, counterpoint, and harmony under Charles- Rene.

According to Charles, Ravel was naturally a musician, and he even started believing that his father had probably homeschooled him about music. Unlike others, he understood everything he was taught and did not struggle to get the concepts. He was talented, and his skills were not a result of effort.

2. He was a great music teacher to young talents, even though his profession was not teaching

Bain News Service. Photo by The Library of Congress-

Even though he was not a teacher by occupation, Ravel gave great music lessons to upcoming musicians. He wanted talent to grow. At the same time, he was learning from the new musical ideas they had.

 For him, being older or having started a career earlier is not a certification that one knows everything. Music is changing, and the new blood brings interesting and energized approaches.

3. Maurice Ravel was a unique artist and loved the originality

From his early childhood, Ravel wanted everything he did to be unique. For him, individuals should be themselves. They should not imitate what others do. In life, every person is perfect.

This perfection should not come from trying to be like other people. It should come from within. As a teacher, he told one of his students (Manuel Rosenthal) that finding one鈥檚 voice is what makes great musicians.

In a quote, he said, 鈥淥nly Debussy could have written it and made it sound like only Debussy could sound.鈥� Through this, Maurice encouraged creativity. Being original is what makes a great artist. A musician should be recognized by what he does and not what he copies from others.

4. He was a patriot and courageous and even asked to join the air force during world war I

Maurice Ravel et les pelotaris. Photo by Flopinot2012-

During the invasion of France by Germany in 1914, Ravel requested to become a crew of the France Air Force. His request was rejected due to age. Furthermore, he had a minor heart complication. His desire to fight for his country did not stop.

He was recruited as a lorry driver by the Thirteenth Artillery Regiment in 1915. He transported munitions even during night attacks and bombardments by the German soldiers. This was a risky job that needed courage.

5.In 1916, his music was banned from the Ligue Nationale pour la D茅fense de la Musique Fran莽aise Concerts.

Maurice Ravel. Photo by Durand & Cie, 脡diteurs-

Following the German attacks, the Ligue National pour la D茅fense de la Musique Fran莽aise banned all German music from playing in their concerts in France.

However, Ravel saw this as killing diversity in the country. He opposed the plan to do away with foreign music as he saw goodness in diversity.

He refused to join the League鈥檚 committee, leading to his ban. Ravel鈥檚 music was banned from the concerts for supporting diversity in the music taste

6. At six, Maurice Ravel had grown sensitive to music

At a young age, Maurice learned about music from her mother, who often sang Spanish folk songs for him.

This is where his lessons began, an inspiration that ushered his music career. By 14, he did the first piano recital before the public.

 His sensitivity to all types of music made him more unique. This is where he embraced diversity. For Ravel, diversity is what helps music and musicians grow.

7. He never married

Rave did not have intimate relationships in his life. Because of the desire to achieve perfectionism, he never wanted to have a family. He saw that a family would take much of his time.

He could have used this time to create and present his work. For him, artists are not meant for marriage. Marriage puts one in too much commitment, which acts as an obstacle.

8. Maurice Ravel never went to any school

Maurice was homeschooled and learned most of what he knew from his mother. He learned a lot from the music concerts he attended with his family and the Spanish folk songs by his mother.

He was intelligent, determined, and dedicated to learning from other artists. The artist鈥檚 age did not matter: Ravel was willing to learn. As he progressed with his career, he learned to work with others from whom he borrowed techniques.

9. Maurice Ravel was an award-winning artist

Wim van den Bergh and Rik van Dolderen. Photo by Bart Molendijk-

As a teenager, Ravel was lucky to win one of the most prestigious prizes in France for young composers. This was the Prix de Rome prize.

He continued to put more effort into his talent, and in 1901, the second-best prize of the Prix de Rome belonged to him. Going back to 1891, Ravel won the Conservatoires’ Piano competition by being the best participant.

10. Maurice Ravel was an Introvert when it came to personal life

When it came to personal life, Ravel was an introvert. He did not share much communication with friends and only focused on his musical career.

His introverted status explains why he lacked confidence when speaking with women. According to most who knew him, Ravel鈥檚 life was a mystery many failed to completely understand.