SongTrellis
Music and Musical Know-how For You

Author:  Charles Schoonmaker Posted:  1/20/04; 3:02:42 PM Topic:  What d'yall like? Msg#:  4102 (in response to 4100) Prev/Next:  4101/4103 Reads:  803

Greg,

That's spelled 'Schoonmaker', thankyou. ( of Dutch derivation for Ship-builder ).

...and I'm glad you brought up the subject of Bolero.

When Bolero first appeared and the audiences swooned, Ravel was interviewed by a local rag and is (roughly) quoted as having replied, " I'm very surprised. You see, this is the only thing I've ever written that contains no music ! "

I can't argue with that and to my ear Bolero is little more than an annoying 17 minute crescendo. Here's a few suggested Ravel listenings to help flush Bolero from your system :

'La Valse'. This is a huge and powerful piece of work dedicated to Straus and his waltzes. It runs about 13-14 mins but don't expect any boring Straus 3/4 steppers. This masterpiece stands on it's own and contains harmonies and structures Straus never dreamed of...

'Daphnis et Chloe' Suite no 2 : The orchestration in this is nothing short of mind-boggling and the result is a work of such fluidity and movement and beauty, I can't imagine it's equal. As old man Dave may have mentioned, I'm no great fan of Frank Sinatra but I once read Frank used this as his favorite romantic seduction piece when getting his girl friends in the mood. Good choice Frank !..wherever you are.

'Piano Concerto in G major' second movement. The first 30-32 bars of this are deceptively simple but mui difficult to master...then Ravel goes into a series of what may be the longest set of right-hand runs ever penned to perfection. Altho much of this piece seems like an experiment, listen to it a few times and you'll find it is a true classic that nests back in your memory forever.

Thanks Greg, I have lots more I'd like to talk about but I best step back and avoid Bogarting all the cyber ink. Before I go, have you ever heard Jim Kweskin's Jug Band recording of 'Ukulele Lady'? It's an endearing little piece of musical art in it's own right..I love it...great fun and I suspect you'll like it too.

Chas.

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