Classics Explained: An Introduction to Ravel (Written and Narrated by Jeremy Siepmann)

Tracklist

• CD 1: Boléro
• 1
  Introduction; Cue to Unadorned Bolero Rhythm, Part I

  Jeremy Siepmann
  2:29
• 2
  Bolero Rhythm, Part 2: An Extended Variation of, Part I

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:07
• 3
  'Motto' Rhythm Complete (Instrumentation Will Change on Each New Hearing)

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:21
• 4
  But Here We Have Snare Drums and Plucked Violas and Cellos

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:22
• 5
  Section 1: Introduction of 'the Theme' (The Only One in the Piece) By Solo Flute

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:37
• 6
  Flute continues with Part 2 of theme

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:48
• 7
  Section 2: Complete Statement of Theme by Clarinet as Flute Joins 'Motto' Group

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:30
• 8
  Introduction of 'Discordant' Harp Into the Unfolding Picture

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:18
• 9
  Section 3: Bassoon Introduces Closely Related Variant of Theme

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:34
• 10
  ... but Then Veers Upwards, Slowing Rhythm and Introducting New Syncopation

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:59
• 11
  Section 4: 'Petite' E Flat Clarinet Takes Over Theme, Including Variants

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:21
• 12
  Section 5: Oboe D'Amore Takes Over Theme but Returns to Its Original Form

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:34
• 13
  Section 6: Theme Now Shared by Two Instruments: Muted Trumpet and Flute

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:16
• 14
  Section 7: Tenor saxophone takes Theme as trumpet replaces horn in 'motto'

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:39
• 15
  Section 8: Theme Taken by Soprano Saxophone, 'Espressivo'

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:09
• 16
  Section 9: Theme: Celeste, Piccolos and Horn; Motto: Flute and French Horn

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:24
• 17
  Section 10: Theme: Oboes, Horns, Clarinets; Motto: Plucked Violas and Violins

  Jeremy Siepmann
  2:06
• 18
  Section 11: Theme Taken by First Trombone, Complete With Jazzy Slides

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:40
• 19
  Section 12: Theme: Flutes, Oboes, Clarinets, Sax; Motto: Bassoons, Horns, Trumpets

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:13
• 20
  Section 13: Violins at Last Take the Main Tune, Joining Massed Winds

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:14
• 21
  Section 14: Violins Divide Into Four Groups, Each 'Double-Stopping'

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:04
• 22
  Section 15: Trumpet, Trombone 2 and Tuba Join the Foreground

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:18
• 23
  Section 16: First Trombone and Soprano Saxophone 'Rejoin' Theme

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:56
• 24
  Section 17: Fortissimo; All Strings 'Double-Stopping'; Trumpets Added

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:26
• 25
  Section 18: Entire Orchestra Now Employed, 'as Loudly as Possible'

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:18
• 26
  Section 19: Sudden, Amazing Change of Key, Lurching From C to E Major

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:20
• 27
  Section 20: Key Now Lurches Back to C, as Jazzy Trombones Whiningly Protest

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:36
• 28
  Cue to Complete Performance

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:20
• 29
  Boléro (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Kenneth Jean)
  16:16
• CD 2: Ma mère l'oye
• 1
  Opening Figure on Flute; Rising, Falling, and Then Repeated

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:04
• 2
  Same Again, With Emphasis on Delicacy of Scoring

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:30
• 3
  Answering Variant, Accompanied by Plucked Double Basses

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:19
• 4
  Reminder of Opening Figure

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:18
• 5
  ... and Now Its Rhythmical Mirror Image, or Almost...

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:12
• 6
  Answering Phrase 2: A Near-Inversion, Over "James Bond" Accompaniment

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:41
• 7
  Pivotal Phrase 3, Reversing Direction but Keeping Rhythm of Phrase 2

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:46
• 8
  Reprise of Phrases 1 and 2, but With New Accompaniment

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:39
• 9
  Further Reprise of Phrase 2, Now on Violin, Accompanied by Harp

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:40
• 10
  Ma mère l'oye: I. Pavane de la belle au bois dormante (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Kenneth Jean)
  1:41
• 11
  Introduction; Opening, With Multi-Metre Rising Scales From Muted Violins

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:49
• 12
  Changes of Metre Continue as Solo Oboe Introduces Theme One

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:24
• 13
  Oboe Yields to Cor Anglais for Theme Two, Against Lower (Still Muted) Strings

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:44
• 14
  Theme One Returns, Shared by Clarinet and Flute; Muted Horn Added to Accompaniment

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:25
• 15
  "Motto" Rhythm Dominates as Intensity Increases From Lower Strings to Full Orchestra

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:46
• 16
  Fear Subsides as Theme Two Returns, Again in Cor Anglais but Now in a Different Key

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:32
• 17
  Sensational Sound Effects Evoke a Wood at Night, With Screeches, Cuckooing etc.

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:44
• 18
  Texture Thins; Theme One Returns, Delicately Scored for Strings and Piccolo

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:19
• 19
  The Main Part of Movement Ends, With Waltz-Like March(!) (feat. Flute)

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:28
• 20
  Ma mère l'oye: II. Petit poucet (Tom Thumb) E (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Kenneth Jean)
  3:28
• 21
  Introduction; Opening (Introductory) Bars, Followed by Theme One

  Jeremy Siepmann
  2:00
• 22
  Oriental-Orchestral Equivalent of an Imperial Telephone Bell

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:15
• 23
  ... Oboe "Answers" With a Very Slightly Varied Version of Theme One

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:15
• 24
  Expanded Derivative of the "Telephone Bell" Interrupts the Theme Again

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:00
• 25
  Fragments of Theme in Flutes and Cor Anglais, With "James Bond" Tag in Violins

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:24
• 26
  "Gamelan" Music From Flute and Piccolo, Accompanied by Harp, Xylophone and Strings

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:32
• 27
  Arrival of Empress; Upper Strings Yield to Winds, Celeste, Harp And (Very Discreet) Gong

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:47
• 28
  Ma mère l'oye: III. Laideronette, Impératrice des pagodese (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Kenneth Jean)
  3:57
• 29
  Opening, Waltz Theme From Clarinet, With Important Downward Scale Figure in Strings

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:51
• 30
  Characteristic Pattern of Two Short Phrases Answered by a Long One

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:36
• 31
  Clarinet, Flutes and Violas, With "Sighing" Figure Derived From Downward String Motif

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:21
• 32
  Varied Reprise of Opening, Entry of the "Beast" (Contra-Bassoon); "Watch It! Watch It!"

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:32
• 33
  Again the "Beast" Growls; Again the Cautious Warning "Watch It!" From the Winds

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:40
• 34
  Derivative of Beauty's Theme From Flute, Combined With "Caution Motif" in Strings

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:38
• 35
  "Beast's Theme" Rises in Pitch With Each Successive "Growl" (Representing Hope?)

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:52
• 36
  "Beauty", "Beast" and "Caution" Motifs All Combine Simultaneously

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:12
• 37
  "Beast" (Contra-Bassoon) Climbs Ever Higher, Handing Over to Bassoon Proper

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:49
• 38
  Harp's Upward Glide Heralds the Moment of Transformation; Love Song, Fear, Release

  Jeremy Siepmann
  2:09
• 39
  Ma mère l'oye: IV. Les entretiens de la belle et de la bête (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Kenneth Jean)
  4:14
• 40
  Introduction; Opening Bars Are Unfurled by the Strings Alone

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:40
• 41
  The Rhythmic Basis, and Its Guises. First, a Question: "Where Went My Childhood?"

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:23
• 42
  The Question Intensified: "Oh Where Went... My Childhood?"

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:15
• 43
  The Answer, With a Falling Inflection: "Gone Is Your Childhood."

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:20
• 44
  The Plea: "Bring Back My Childhood!"

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:14
• 45
  The Response: "Seek In... Your Mem'ry. There It... Will Be."

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:25
• 46
  Ravel's Use of Tone Colour to Change the Feeling of the Music

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:49
• 47
  Further Illustration of the Same Point

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:27
• 48
  Continued

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:44
• 49
  The Nobility of the Strings

  Jeremy Siepmann
  0:45
• 50
  Bells Evoked by French Horns; The Final, Opulent, Moving Climax of the Whole Suite

  Jeremy Siepmann
  1:11
• 51
  Ma mère l'oye: V. Le jardin féerique (Czecho-Slovak Radio Symphony Orchestra feat. conductor: Kenneth Jean)
  4:00

More by Maurice Ravel

Live in Tokyo

Live in Tokyo 2016

Boulez Conducts Ravel, Roussel

Boulez Conducts Ravel, Roussel 2009

Trio / Sonate pour violon & violoncelle / Sonate pour violon & piano

Trio / Sonate pour violon & violoncelle / Sonate pour violon & piano 2008

Miroirs, La Valse and other works for piano solo

Miroirs, La Valse and other works for piano solo 2006

Conciertos para piano

Conciertos para piano 2004

Falla: Siete canciones populares españolas / Ravel: Histoires naturelles / Fauré: Mélodies

Falla: Siete canciones populares españolas / Ravel: Histoires naturelles / Fauré: Mélodies 2003

Release credits

• Kenneth Jean
  conductor [1.29, 2.10, 2.20, 2.28, 2.39, 2.51]
• Slovenský filharmonický zbor
  choir vocals [20, 28]
• Symfonický orchester Slovenského rozhlasu
  performing orchestra [1.29, 2.10, 2.20, 2.28, 2.39, 2.51]

Issues

• C
  Classics Explained: An Introduction to Ravel (Written and Narrated by Jeremy Siepmann)

  2x CD
  2001