Composer

:

Maurice Ravel

Genre

:

Keyboard

Style

:

Suite

Compose Date

:

1908 - 1910

Average_duration

:

16:07

Movement_count

:

5

Movement ....

Ma mère l'oye (Mother Goose) is a suite for piano four hands composed by Maurice Ravel in 1910. It was later orchestrated by Ravel himself in 1911. The suite is based on five fairy tales from Charles Perrault's collection of stories, including Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, and Beauty and the Beast. The premiere of Ma mère l'oye took place on March 20, 1910, at the Salle Gaveau in Paris, with Ravel and his friend Marguerite Long performing on the piano. The orchestrated version was premiered on February 28, 1912, by the Lamoureux Orchestra in Paris, conducted by Camille Chevillard. The suite consists of five movements, each depicting a different fairy tale. The first movement, "Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty," is a slow and graceful dance that evokes the image of a princess sleeping in a castle. The second movement, "Tom Thumb," is a lively and playful scherzo that captures the mischievous nature of the tiny hero. The third movement, "Laideronnette, Empress of the Pagodas," is a delicate and exotic piece that portrays a beautiful princess in a far-off land. The fourth movement, "Conversation of Beauty and the Beast," is a tender and romantic duet between the two characters. The final movement, "The Fairy Garden," is a joyful and whimsical piece that brings the suite to a delightful close. Ma mère l'oye is characterized by Ravel's use of rich harmonies, colorful orchestration, and intricate textures. The suite is also notable for its use of childlike melodies and playful rhythms, which reflect the fairy tale themes. Overall, Ma mère l'oye is a charming and enchanting work that has become a beloved classic in the repertoire of both piano and orchestral music.

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