Boléro
Maurice RAVEL (1875-1937)
Boléro,
Ravel's most popular work, is reputed to be the world's most frequently played
piece of classical music.
In
1928, Ravel received a commission from Ida Rubinstein for a ballet, Fandango.
He developed a Spanish-sounding theme constructed in two parts which Ravel
described as "quelque chose d'insistant". Although the theme is
repeated nine times without a modulation, Ravel maintains excitement by varying
orchestration, and texture. Underlying this theme is a single rhythmic idea that
maintains a metrical pulse beneath the lyricism.
The overall effect is a long crescendo leading to a thrilling climax.
Ravel was insistent that the work should be played at a steady tempo. After a performance in 1930, he reprimanded Toscanini, one of the leading conductors of the time, for taking the work too fast and for speeding up at the climax.