Leading figures of French Impressionism, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy both composed only a single work for string quartet. When Debussy composed his quartet in 1893, he was an impetuous youth seeking a new means of expression and had not yet developed fully the mature style that defined his later music. Ravel, however, though still only twenty-eight years of age, already showed the signs of artistic maturity and his sole quartet, the String Quartet in F, displays a greater concern for structure and craftsmanship than novelty.
The Quartet was composed in the early part of 1903 and premiered in March of the following year in Paris. It was to be his final attempt at winning the prestigious Prix de Rome. Ravel’s talent was certainly recognized and he was expected to win one of the prizes available, but the Quartet, having received mixed reviews from both critics and academics alike, was rejected shortly after its premiere. Even, Gabriel Fauré, Ravel’s teacher and dedicatee of the work, criticized the Quartet’s finale. Frustrated, Ravel left the Paris Conservatoire. His departure, however, sparked what has since become known as the “Ravel Affair.” A sympathetic public rallied by the young composer and the conservative establishment of the Paris Conservatoire was suddenly pitted against the rising avant-garde artists. The affair led to the resignation of the Conservatoire’s director Théodore Dubois. Fauré was named the school’s new director, giving a Ravel at least a small degree of vindication. But, Ravel benefited far greater from the scandal itself, which catapulted his career out of obscurity.
Adhering to the traditional forms, Ravel’s Quartet is structured in four movements: an Allegro moderato sonata form; an Assez vif scherzo-like movement; a Tres lent slow movement; and, lastly, a Vif et agite finale. The first movement possesses a warm lyricism in its opening theme contrasted by the austere and melancholy nature of its secondary idea. The scherzo-like movement which follows takes its inspiration from Debussy’s quartet with its abundant use of pizzicato. Dramatic and mysterious, the third movement contains fragments of music already heard. Lastly, the finale erupts in a furious and energetic 5/4 meter, building incessantly towards a boisterous conclusion. Joseph DuBose
Modéré – Très doux Assez vif – Très rythmé Très lent Vif et agité
Classical Music | Violin Music
Maurice Ravel
String Quartet in F Major Play
Recorded on 07/12/2007, uploaded on 01/12/2012
Musician's or Publisher's Notes
Leading figures of French Impressionism, Maurice Ravel and Claude Debussy both composed only a single work for string quartet. When Debussy composed his quartet in 1893, he was an impetuous youth seeking a new means of expression and had not yet developed fully the mature style that defined his later music. Ravel, however, though still only twenty-eight years of age, already showed the signs of artistic maturity and his sole quartet, the String Quartet in F, displays a greater concern for structure and craftsmanship than novelty.
The Quartet was composed in the early part of 1903 and premiered in March of the following year in Paris. It was to be his final attempt at winning the prestigious Prix de Rome. Ravel’s talent was certainly recognized and he was expected to win one of the prizes available, but the Quartet, having received mixed reviews from both critics and academics alike, was rejected shortly after its premiere. Even, Gabriel Fauré, Ravel’s teacher and dedicatee of the work, criticized the Quartet’s finale. Frustrated, Ravel left the Paris Conservatoire. His departure, however, sparked what has since become known as the “Ravel Affair.” A sympathetic public rallied by the young composer and the conservative establishment of the Paris Conservatoire was suddenly pitted against the rising avant-garde artists. The affair led to the resignation of the Conservatoire’s director Théodore Dubois. Fauré was named the school’s new director, giving a Ravel at least a small degree of vindication. But, Ravel benefited far greater from the scandal itself, which catapulted his career out of obscurity.
Adhering to the traditional forms, Ravel’s Quartet is structured in four movements: an Allegro moderato sonata form; an Assez vif scherzo-like movement; a Tres lent slow movement; and, lastly, a Vif et agite finale. The first movement possesses a warm lyricism in its opening theme contrasted by the austere and melancholy nature of its secondary idea. The scherzo-like movement which follows takes its inspiration from Debussy’s quartet with its abundant use of pizzicato. Dramatic and mysterious, the third movement contains fragments of music already heard. Lastly, the finale erupts in a furious and energetic 5/4 meter, building incessantly towards a boisterous conclusion. Joseph DuBose
Modéré – Très doux
Assez vif – Très rythmé
Très lent
Vif et agité
More music by Maurice Ravel
La Valse
Berceuse sur le nom de Gabriel Faure
Noctuelles from Miroirs
Daphnis and Chloé, Suite No. 2
Une barque sur l'océan, from Miroirs
Alborada del Gracioso, from Miroirs
Pièce en Forme de Habanera
Cinq Mélodies Populaires Grecques
Rhapsodie espagnole
Concerto No. 2 in D Major for Piano and Orchestra
Performances by same musician(s)
Piano Trio in B-flat Major, K.502
Piano Quintet in A major, Op. 81
Serenade in C Major, Op. 10
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