(March 2019) I have completed episode 207 of my “opus project.” This edition: MAURICE RAVEL. A rare case where a composer’s best known work (Boléro) is unlike anything else he did. I love the way it builds over the repetition. I’m not a fan of impressionism (art or music) but there were some works here that, ahem, impressed me more than expected, especially the complex orchestral and stage compositions. I imagine pianophiles like to challenge themselves with his piano works. He didn’t write as much as contemporaries.
Favorite piece: Boléro
Favorite stage piece: Daphnis et Chloé (ballet)
Favorite orchestral piece: Piano Concerto in G
Favorite small piece (non-vocal): Tzigane
Compared to expectations: same
Opus Project 