Maurice Ravel

Le Tombeau de Couperin (Suite d'Orchestre)

Ravel's multi-layered Hommage in the 'Breitkopf Urtext' In his Hommage Le Tombeau de Couperin, Ravel addresses not so much Couperin himself as the French music of the 18th century. On the other hand, editor Jean-Francois Monnard sets out in his preface how Ravel reacts in a very personal way to the events of the First World War in this multi-layered work. The starting point for the orchestral version is Ravel's own piano suite of the same name (1914-17). In 1919 Ravel selected four movements from this original, orchestrated them with all the artistry that contrasts charmingly with the pseudo-Baroque musical language, and put them in a new, effective order. The work achieved great popularity immediately after its concert premiere, when the three dance movements of the orchestral suite were included in a ballet production. The edition, supervised by Monnard, is based on the most important sources. The preface contains numerous notes on the interpretation and performance history of the work. With this publication, the fifth major Ravel work is available in the 'Breitkopf Urtext'.