Composer

:

Maurice Ravel

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Character Piece

Compose Date

:

1896

Average_duration

:

11:12

La Parade is a ballet composed by Maurice Ravel in 1916-1917. It was premiered on May 18, 1917, at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, with choreography by Jean Cocteau and sets and costumes by Pablo Picasso. The ballet was commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev for his Ballets Russes company. The ballet consists of four movements, each representing a different scene. The first movement, titled "Chinatown," features a Chinese street scene with a group of acrobats and a Chinese magician. The music is characterized by a lively and rhythmic melody, with a prominent use of percussion instruments. The second movement, titled "The American Girl," features a group of American tourists visiting Paris. The music is characterized by a jazzy and syncopated rhythm, with a prominent use of saxophones and brass instruments. The third movement, titled "The Russian Dance," features a group of Russian soldiers performing a traditional dance. The music is characterized by a fast and energetic rhythm, with a prominent use of strings and woodwind instruments. The fourth and final movement, titled "The Finale," features all the characters from the previous scenes coming together for a grand parade. The music is characterized by a lively and celebratory melody, with a prominent use of brass and percussion instruments. Overall, La Parade is a unique and innovative work that combines elements of classical music with popular and folk music from different cultures. Ravel's use of unconventional harmonies, rhythms, and instrumentation reflects the avant-garde spirit of the time and demonstrates his mastery of orchestration. The collaboration between Ravel, Cocteau, and Picasso also highlights the interdisciplinary nature of the Ballets Russes and its influence on modern art and culture.

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