Passionate dances in Andalusia inspired the master. It is important to remember that Ravel had flamenco in mind when he was working on one of his most beautiful works (Mawer 156). This piece should be regarded as a brilliant interpretation of classic through passionate dances. However, Ravel’s Bolero cannot be understood and should not be analyzed in terms of such conventions. However, those people tried to see the piece in terms of academic conventions. Many people did not understand the piece as they believed the melody was a great step backwards for the composer (Zank 68). Admittedly, only a great, talented and skillful master could create a piece based on a single melody. Bolero is also one of the most sophisticated works as the composer had already polished his unique style by 1930s. It was created at the time when he found out about his poor health conditions. It is also important to stress that Bolero is one of the composer’s last works. He produced new music patterns which created the atmosphere of a Spanish fest where Spanish music could be heard. The composer did not use specific folk melodies. Thus, the two works are based on folk Spanish melodies, though none of the melodies is revealed. However, these two pieces have one important trait in common. The piece is characterized by the variety of instruments and variety of melodies, whereas Bolero is based on a single melody which is gradually enriched by doubling. It can be interesting to compare Bolero with another piece based on Spanish melodies.įor instance, Rapsodie espagnole differs considerably from the later Bolero. The composer created numerous magnificent works which were positively accepted by people (Zank 72). It is necessary to note that the piece stands out from the rest of Ravel’s works which are often rich in improvisations and variety of melodies. At the end of the piece the entire orchestra is performing at high pitch and the melody stops abruptly. During minute 05:46 the melody is performed at high pitch. It gradually increases, which creates a great atmosphere of tension and even suspense. There are several doublings throughout the piece. The melody is developed with the help of instruments’ doubling in different keys. The melody starts in the instruments’ low range and after minute 0:51 of the piece the range of the instruments used becomes higher. Ravel also uses string instruments cellos, violas, harps, violins. Thus, the composer makes use of the following instruments in the specific order: solo flute, solo clarinet, solo bassoon, solo E-flat clarinet, solo oboe d’amore, solo tenor saxophone, solo soprano saxophone, French horn, trombone. However, woodwind and brass instruments prevail. The piece is played with a variety of instruments (Schwarm 337). The rhythm is performed on the snare drum. The piece is based on a single ostinato rhythm which does not change throughout the work. He only wanted to add instruments to develop the piece into a great orchestral work gradually. Ravel intended to take a simple melody to develop it in a very special manner. These words can be regarded as an answer to those who accuses the great master of creating too simplistic piece. I’m going to try and repeat it a number of times without any development, gradually increasing the orchestra as best as I can. Once he played it he said to one of his friends:ĭon’t you think this theme has an insistent quality?. One morning he played the new melody with one finger. However, soon he changed his mind and decided to create a brand new work. It is known that Ravel wrote this piece for the Russian ballet dancer Ida Rubinstein who asked him to create “an orchestral transcription of six pieces from Albeniz’s Iberia” (Orenstein 98). Critics have praised the work for its brilliant simple form and great passion. Ironically, this piece is cherished for its simple and, at the same time, so unique form. Nonetheless, people have acknowledged beauty and great importance of this magnificent work. Some even claim that this notoriety prevented many researchers from analyzing this piece.
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