Maurice Ravel - String Quartet in F major
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- čas přidán 10. 05. 2024
- - Composer: Joseph-Maurice Ravel (7 March 1875 -- 28 December 1937)
- Performers: Alban Berg Quartett
- Year of recording: 1984
String quartet in F major, written in 1903.
00:00 - I. Allegro moderato. Très doux
07:41 - II. Assez vif. Très rythmé
14:34 - III. Très lent
23:53 - IV. Vif et agité
The Quartet in F major was Ravel's final submission to the Prix de Rome and the Conservatoire de Paris. The composition was rejected by both institutions soon after its premier on 5 March 1904 by the Heymann Quartet. The quartet received mixed reviews from the Parisian press and local academia. Gabriel Fauré, to whom the work is dedicated, described the last movement as "stunted, badly balanced, in fact a failure." Ravel himself commented on the work, "My Quartet in F major responds to a desire for musical construction, which undoubtedly is inadequately realized but which emerges much more clearly than in my preceding compositions."
As a result of major criticism and rejection, a frustrated Ravel left the Conservatoire in 1905 following what was later called the Ravel Affair. Ravel's loss during the 1904 Prix de Rome and rejection from the Conservatoire de Paris catapulted his career not backwards but forward: a sympathetic public rallied behind his compositions and musical style. In 1905, Claude Debussy wrote to Ravel: "In the name of the gods of music and in my own, do not touch a single note you have written in your Quartet."
Ravel's string Quartet in F major stands as one of the most widely performed chamber music works in the classical repertoire, representing Ravel's early achievements and rise from obscurity. On CD, it is often coupled with Debussy's own string quartet. The quartet follows a strict four movement classical structure: Moderato très doux begins as a sonata form allegro, the following Assez vif-Très rythmé functions as the quartet's scherzo, while Très lent acts as a contrasting foil. The last movement, Vif et agité, reintroduces themes from the earlier passages and ends with a striking finale. - Hudba
I love the Ravel story of him attending a concert with friends, close to the end of his life when he had dementia. He sat with them, listening to the beautiful music and eventually, after a long period of crying, he said, "This is beautiful. Who wrote it?" His friends replied, of course, "you did." I have no idea if he was listening to this sublime quartet, but it would not surprise me.
Another anecdote says that he was attending a recording of his own music. After it was done, he turned to the guy in charge and said something like, "That was good. Remind me of the composer's name later." Kinda sad that dementia got the better of him later in life.
@@virtuousvibes2852 ...Forgive me if I'm mistaken, but Ihad always understood that Ravel was suffering from the effects of an inoperable brain tumor...
@@photo161 I’m not sure, but I think he was hit by a taxi at some point
@@photo161 I think that he was suspected to have a tumor, but actually didn't - and, tragically, died from the complications of a surgery that was meant to remove the non-existent tumor
It still impresses me no end that so young a composer could produce such a mature, forward-looking quartet.
Ravel's mastery of harmony can make tension and dissonance seem so mysterious and beautiful. It makes me think of exploring a foreign planet, lush with vivacious plant life and abundant in natural wonders, strange and mesmerizing, paradise.
Really beautyful!
Odd. I got the same exact sensation... :)
you've excelled yourself! Sometimes it is hard to put into words what this music makes you feel, I just loved what you wrote. Thanks.
Like the Elder Scrolls III: Morrowind.
Well said. First time I've heard this piece and I honestly thought it was from the 1950s or so. It sounds so modern.
I can't stop listening to the second movement, what a wonderful thing!
It's my favorite movement, in fact it's what got me listening to more orchestral/classical music
Possibly the greatest quartet piece I've ever heard - this is actually insane.
What about Beethoven's Op.131?
@@Ivan_1791 OP 131 was good from Bethoven, but this piece from Maurice was off the scale. It brings so much life to this piece. It was ahead of its time. Lots of people underestimate Maurice and his works, but in my eyes he deserves the grand master title. This quartett made me love classical music
@@jasonswaglord1498 Ravel is among the 10 bests composers but did you carefully listened to Beethoven's Op.131?
@@Ivan_1791 Op 131 when the piece switches to allegretto i have to admit is really beatiful and masterfully executed with utmost delicate care to every note it delivers. Thats my favourite part. But in my oppinion Ravel's piece is better. Its just personal preference at this point.
@@Ivan_1791 Actually there is a funny story behind it. There was a concerto my family took me to. It was a mix of various artists. Back then my knowledge about classical music was "Mozart did that right?". So quartett by quartett minutes went by like "meh i wanna go home" until we reached this exact piece from Maurice. And then it got to me. I was speechless, i listened and listened it was like the music itself was telling me a story, describe an idillic picture. I was struck with pure euphoria. When it ended all i uttered out was a single slight "wow". So yeah. Its the reason why im a fan now and came to adore this type of music. Its just amazing.
I think this might be some of the best music ever written anywhere anywhere by anyone.
Big cal but I agree. Its hard to compare them kin the end. But this is sublime human thought and feeling that's for sure. :-)
Crazy to think ravel considered this a failure.
listen to ravel's own magnum opus daphne et chloe, maybe you would revise that statement 😀
It's not music
@@Whatismusic123Yes it is? You’re quite arrogant even on RachmanJohn’s channel… what makes you say that anyway
0:00 - I. Allegro moderato. Très doux
7:41 - II. Assez vif. Très rythmé
14:34 - III. Très lent
23:53 - IV. Vif et agité
Literally copied and pasted the desc. loll
@@RegulerShowTV of course! Lol. But now I can access them even without using the CZcams App 💪
Thx I mobile
Great composers never forget the viola/alto/bratsche
Mike Barrett so does your mom
You're genious
indeed
The viola has a great range. It gets the high parts of the cello and the low parts of the violin. What's not to love?
As a violinist and violist, I find smetana, Brahms and Dvorak my favorite composers to play on the viola. They all know very very well how to write for the amazing instrument
In the name of the gods of music and in my own, do not touch a single note you have written in your Quartet!
@Luis Muñoz Yep
did debussy say this
@@thomasroddy-johnson1541 Yes, when Ravel submitted the first movement of this quartet to the composition contest at the Conservatoire and he was rejected and expelled for the third time
The unique quartet of Ravel. Fauré asked him to revisit his finale, but Debussy asked him not to change a single note, what Ravel did. Each movement has noticeable features of its own.
He made the right choice. Look at how many people know Debussy now, and compare that to how many people have heard of Fauré.
The last movement, while structurally it is truncated (probably short for the deadline) is still my favourite. I think it's a fantastic exercise in rhythmic tension.
@@Poempedoempoex yeah only popularity matters? what a stupid remark
@@REd-cf3bu In this case, yes. Debussy is a far move revolutionary composer than Fauré.
Many times teachers are jelous of their students.. Faure might have been one of them..
My Dad makes me mixes of classical music to listen to in my car and I fell in love with this piece when I heard it. I felt like a deer prancing in a meadow! Just lovely. Tranquil but urgent.
I have loved this piece for sixty five years. Listen to its tenderness and sensitivity. Imagine knowing Ravel.
What a kind and endlessly interesting person he must have been. There must be good biographies of him. That is what I will read next.
"Imagine knowing Ravel." With this simple statement..... There are people who will never grasp the bliss.
Listening to this fabulous quartet, I think we get to know Ravel well, and at his best.
if you read his biography you will love him even more. He was a wonderful man.
@@annemarieclaudia I have only read a little. Can you recommend one . Language not important.
@@williaminus6545 Marcel Marnat's biography on Ravel is gold
I have always been into music Pink Floyd The Doors Led Zeppelin and things like that and for some reason a friend of mine took me to see this live never heard anything by Ravel or even heard of his name before i didn't even know were we were going to something like this and all I can say is what a night I was absolutely fascinated and really really enjoyed it so much I have never gone through so many emotions at one time in my life it actually brought me to tears 😢 I was utterly fascinated and even better we were sat on the front row in a little place and I could feel the music go through my body it was wonderful 🙃 🙂
the cool thing about this is that page has a deep love for classical music and it shows through his improvisations and even sometimes his studio work. He even played a chopin prelude live a number of times. I could just sound dumb but i think that’s cool that there’s a strong connection between the two.
Also wonderful story
Cotoyez Paul Hindemith ❤
Connaissez vous Paul Hindemith ? ❤
the first 45 seconds are literally heaven on earth. I love this piece so much but the first 45 seconds melt my heart
No, its got to be those haunting octaves at 1:52 !!
But from the 46th second, things are just downhill all the way?
Yes. It demolishes me Simpe at first and so heartfelt.
DieFlabbergast what
I think this is my ideal music, inhabiting that fertile borderland between harmony and dissonance which is so rich in the subtleties and mysteries of feeling.
This feels more modern than most instrumental music released today. It's electrifying.
Heard 7:41 in a video editing program as default background music. I thought it was something modern and recent. Had no idea it was part of a larger piece more than a century old. This is so beautiful. I don't listen to classical music, but string quartets like this: I want more!
Check out the ones by Debussy and Faure, as well as Ravel's piano trio and sonatina.
Windows Video Editor? x3
Also Dvorak and Mendelssohn
that specific movement was played in Sid Meiers Civ 5 only for a couple seconds and I fell in love instantly
Give your ears a treat, classical music is all about finding the language you love.
I quite enjoy the bios and history of the piece you put in the description of your videos. It really helps put the music in perspective. Please continue doing that.
So beautifully lyrical. I notice that the viola has a rather eloquent melodic line. Thank you as always.
+Mari Christian Yes the viola is well-featured here, Ravel was one of the composers that did not neglect this wonderful instrument in his writing.
I just wish people would stop being silly about violists.
Mari Christian
I actually prefer the sound of the viola over that of the violin. There, I said it!
Me too--although I mustn't be disloyal to my cello. My bowing arm is getting a bit creaky these days so perhaps it's time to take up the French Horn--another instrument whose sound I love. No, I'm too old to develop the lung capacity necessary.
+olla-vogala The viola is the only instrument that has not the melody part in the Bolero -.-
My favorite string quartet. Just so beautiful.
It is exquisite. I agree.
My sentiments exactly. It's 62 years since I first heard it (I remember) - and my reaction hasn't changed.
@perl man To add my 2 cents, Shostakovich's 8th quartet is also really nice to me (ironic, yes)
It blows my mind that some folks only know Ravel through Bolero (which is a wonderful composition, don't get me wrong), when works like this are out there...
lflagr And think about Tombeau de couperin, ma mere l’oye, and so many other ravel works, the septet, the trio, the vocal works, sheherazade....
@@BarbedDagger L"Enfant et les Sortilèges..
Gaspard de la Nuit..
Bolero sucks
Bolero is OK if you use it as a door to enter Ravel's world
I love how around 13:20 you can feel the stress of the pizzicato. It's not on purpose, as it's not written in the music, but it carries the soft intensity of the piece so well, it's like the music is staring at you expectantly, then it gets angry for a few measures before it calms down again.
Each instrument has a marked start for the pizzicato, pizz, at different points from the previous two pages. The pizzicato continues until the indication arco is made or the movement finishes. It sounds as it's written.
I'm not exactly super oriented within the classical music genre, so I come here after playing Civ 5, where you hear like 4 seconds of it.
I'm very glad I did.
wait, which country has Ravel?
@@EthanDyTioco Not sure if any country has Ravel's music, but I'm referring to when you get a Great Musician and you get to hear a short snippet of a piece (if I remember correctly, long time no play)
@@ingrima4220 holy crap me too dude, it sounded so epic that I just had to listen to the whole piece. Those 6 notes are enough to get a man pumped
It's unbelievable how much Civ5 opened me up to to classical music. I'm not sure I remember this piece in particular from the game though, but the curation for the music in this game was simply next-level.
For anyone interested, the 4 seconds you hear in Civ 5 (when you get Ravel as a Great Musician) start at 7:41 - it's the second movement.
So beautiful and lyrical, one of the best string quartets.
the second movement is just so brisky, lively, curious, probably in no small part to pizzicato and the heavy emphasis on rhythm, i love it
7:41 exciting
Thx now i can skip to my fav
You do know that Schoenberg had already written Verklärte Nacht 4 years before this twee, twaddle, right?
I’ll never fall out of love with the second movement...
I love that you can hear the breathing on the recording
This string quartet opened up the world of Impressionistic music and I fell in love. Thank you for this recording!
With the music images of art politics life in that era flood my mind- This is what is meant to happen- To be transported to another place another time your mind will always be free.
Sensational interpretation. Is this the most wistful music ever written? Ravel was a master in so many ways. Nothing like this can ever be taught. It comes form somewhere in th mind and we will never really know how it happens. No problem. We just marvel at it and let it enter our souls.
Its called genius.
@@enagyb genius might be a word for that unknown
For the first time ever from listening to classical music did something truly imitate the human voice for me 10:08
Siiiii!!! Es alucinante!!!
That effect is just coincidence and wasn't the composer's intention. It just depends on the cellist and the quality of the cello. This one has a warm voice-like sound.
@@homhable I believe they were referring to the first and second violin harmonies. Sounds awfully like a real woman singing!
listen to tchaikovsky valse sentimental, the violin sounds so human
Thank you for posting this beautiful recording!
Every time you listen to Ravel his genius reaches across time and slaps you.
This is one of my favourite compositions of all time.
You have good taste.
Incredible, the string quartet plays so well with one another, they know each other so well and have such great dialogue, a real pleasure to listen to. Thank you.
Stunning! How come I never came across this one sooner?! Thank you and thank you and thank you Ravel!
I like very much seeing the written music as the music plays. It's kinda like learning a new language. Beautiful.
your description of the piece is really appreciated! CZcams would be a better place if all classical music had such in depth and interesting descriptions of the work. The audio, score and description have really helped me feel more intimate with this brilliant string quartet
3:51 literally being one of the most intense climaxes i've ever heard, simply phenomenal
Have you heard Shostakovich's String Quartet no. 8, 2nd movement?
TIGHT TIGHT TIGHT that will ones pretty good. But I still like this one better.
@@lifeisdead01 just had a listen and it seems i've been missing out! there's a lot of tension in there
@@sowarutsuchiro Have u listened to tchaikovksy violin concerto 4th movement?
@Homie J doesn't the tchaikovsky violin concerto only have 3 movements? 😅 also if you're referring to the last movement yes indeed, it's an all time favourite
the beginning of the second movement is such a bop! I love Ravel : )
00:00 - I. Allegro moderato. Très doux - Premier groupe thématique en fa majeur
01:53 : Deuxième groupe thématique (en ré mineur)
02:22 : Développement
04:24 : Réexposition
06:14 : Deuxième groupe thématique (mélodie à la même hauteur que dans l'exposition, seule la basse change pour que le passage soit en fa)
07:41 - II. Assez vif. Très rythmé - la mineur. Deux thèmes : le premier est basé sur le premier thème du premier mouvement (mêmes notes), le deuxième thème est basé sur le deuxième thème du premier mouvement (même rythme de triolet).
09:37 : Partie centrale
13:21 : retour de la première partie
14:34 - III. Très lent (thème à l'alto basé sur les même notes que le premier thème)
16:07 : Thème du premier mouvement
23:53 - IV. Vif et agité
24:33 : Deuxième groupe thématique
25:08 : 2e thème du premier mouvement
26:28 : Réexposition
27:48 : Coda
Thanks for the details about Ravel's frustrations over this work. It's a great story of an early "failure" that led to great things, and we need the inspiration those stories provide.
One of the most beautiful pieces I've heard.
This is fantastic. Brings out everything in the piece.
Although I love this piece, first movements my favourite. like with Ravel's Sonatine for piano
For me ...third movement. The heart of the piece. The development section is something extremely unique, tender, and heart felt.
Sublime! Bravissimo also for performers...one of my favorite string quartets ever.
Ich kann nicht in Worte fassen, wie mich diese Musik berührt! Irgendetwas wunderschön anderes schwebt über diesen Noten, etwas, das einen umhüllt und ergreift. Es scheint, als würde man abtauchen in eine Welt ganz ohne Zeit, in eine flüchtige Wolke aus Farben und Emotionen, aus Impressionen und tiefen Gedanken. Gedanken, die nur unkonkret ausgedrückt werden können, aber in ihrer Unkonkretheit vollkommen sind.
Wow. This really woke me up. Its so unique! And extremely beautiful!
The greatest string quartet ever written.
tout à fait d'accord avec vous, c'est, et de loin, le plus beau de tous les quatuors jamais composés.
This performance invigorates the human spirit , and is full of emotion and admiration , and comfortable to the ear and the mind
Ravel was a channel for divine harmonies. His music is masterful and crafted with great intention and care. The struggles he faced and the life he lived is a message. 🌹
Без проблем.
-Сэмюэл Кольридж Тейлор
My god this keeps getting better every time i hear it
Ravel is very creative person, using new rhythms
Stunning. Like waking up after a winter sleep. Or chatting with a good old friend.
Glad to admit, that second movement blew me away. Such originality, such talent.
One of the really great 20th Century works for quartet - and played by a great 20th Century string quartet. Thanks for posting this.
Such a beautiful piece. Never gets old.
i don’t remember but i think i was reading about Bauman, who said that this piece perfectly incorporates the fear of modern humans who don’t feel on time when things get dilated and on the contrary when things go fast and we can’t keep up.. i think this is expressed well
in the sense of catching up in the whole piece; there is always a “hidden” sense of improving over the length of the piece that arrives to a broad concept ( the main theme ) that is always backed by hectic notes and vice versa, when the fast notes comes there is always a long note sequence that makes it unsettling
Maurice Ravel était beauté, message, violence et rêve, mais surtout l'instrument puissant d'une volonté formidable. Ce compositeur exceptionnel disait "Je veux" quand beaucoup d’autres marmonnaient "je voudrais" Il a atteint son but sans se plier à la plus infime compromission, comme une charrue accrochée à une étoile. Une fois pour toutes, il traçait son chemin et ne s'en écartait jamais, refusant toute flagornerie qui fait de la musique populaire d'aujourd'hui une lasse prostituée¯\_(ツ)_/¯
l'effet suprême de l'art c'est d'éveiller le sentiment de la grâce .
Marvellous recording! 😊
II e always felt the excitement in this piece … Ravel’s chamber music is among the best of twentieth century classical music. The piano trio, with its incredible rhythms and syncopations seems to have grown from this
I get major Stravinsky feels at 4:00, this piece is incredible!
Omfg I love the 2nd movement
Socialistonion I do.
I've always loved it. Now it has a competitor in the first-that music is devastating. :-)
Sameeeee, It is amazing, although this one in particular is not my favourite interpretation of it.
@@alisekeita3921 Honestly, I am always looking for the the most loved versions of my favorite works, as determined by those who also love them the most. Please share your thoughts of your favourite. I'm not posting to dispute, but to learn
David Randall yes, ofcourse, I understand and this version is not bad at all! I just like quartets “quator ebenē” version the most
one of my favourite string quartets
My FAVOURITE string quartet of all time by anyone anywhere.
I don't think there's been a greater master than Ravel. He is pure music.
Please CZcams for the love of god don’t take this down
OMG that second movement, and everything really, everything is so GOOD, but that second movement speaks to my soul
Little will read this, but here I go. I used to dislike Ravel. I would get bored by his music.
I forced myself to listen to the whole quartet, multiple times. I slowly began getting it. I slowly came to appreciate Ravel's style. I'll listen to more of his works now.
Thank you you tube for helping people to preserve the best creativity that mankind has
The more I listen, the more this is the best version, out of many great versions.
Yes. I like this recording very much. As a boy in the 1960s I grew up listening to Budapest string quartet recording of this. I'll go back and listen to that for comparison.
23:53 THAT SCARED THE HECK OUT OF ME! I DID NOT EXPECT THE BEGINNING TO SOUND LIKE THAT! Why Ravel?! Why?!
"Vif et agité" - you were warned 😆
a shostakovich predecesor
Why did I instantly hear it in my head before even clicking the link
@@mysterium364Coz you're impatient?
The modulation in 8:33 sounds so natural
Thank you for posting the sheet music, so I could see the notes.👌
I absolutely love this
This is utterly beautiful.
HIHIHIHA!
How come I see you on almost every classical music video I listen to?
Ravel's music is ravishingly gorgeous like a painting by Renoir.
the trills in the second movement give me thrills!
The pizz in the second movement is so fun! This is my favorite movement maybe ever!
First Quartet that ever grabbed me immediately. N.P.R. Guarneri Quartet, Fall of 1980. Bought the album, fell in love with Debussy too. Not bad for a Fiddle Player from North Carolina that had to learn the Bach Double by ear cause he couldn't read music. Still don't know what all those lines and Italian words mean, but I'll start trying to learn this from the bottom up.
Truly extraordinary piece!
I owe my soul to the person who introduced me to this piece.
Muchas Gracias por compartir edta obra maestra, patrimonio de la humanidad.
meraviglioso esecuzione super perfetta inpeccabile.
Una delle opere piu belle di tutti i tempi. Geniale Ravel!! Alban Berg quartett impressionante!
A absolute beauty! Bravo to Ravel and the Quartet!
Wow, the second movement is just amazing!
In my opinion, the second movements of Ravel's chamber pieces are the best parts! 🔥🔥
this is gorgeous.
une oeuvre d une lyrisme rare ,, la nature , l amour , la sensualité des corps éperdue , dans l ether vespéral ,, un chef d oeuvre du quatuor alban berg ,, que de souvenirs prodigieux qui se régénèrent a l infini ,, merci
One of the most genial quartet string compositions to enjoy still today. An ideal performance from the Alban Berg group, imagine around 80 years after the completion. The number of given auditors tells enough on the importance; nothing but great satisfaction from that conclusion.
Romance, tensão, drama, as linhas texturais estão vivas, dialogando.
Stands high above other quartets for its unique sound and style.
Wow, I need to listen to more Ravel!
of course !
Yes
I love this piece
Marvelous work !
Bella obra de este gran maestro
23:53 gave me a heart attack.
Tess Crelli same! turned it on to help me take a quick nap and that part woke me right up!
omg so true
my own expirience
I was kinda "napping" when i should do hw and suddenly it's like CZcams was getting so mad at me because this piece just came up and I was like "Son of a-"
I first heard this as movie theme music. I've forgotten the movie, but not this wonderful music!
Pur raffinement, pur ravissement.