In his homage Le Tombeau de Couperin, Ravel is less specifically interested in Couperin than in French music of the late 18th century. In his preface, editor Jean-Francois Monnard explains how Ravel paid a moving and intensely personal tribute to the events of World War I with his multi-layered work. The orchestral version goes back to the original, eponymous piano suite (1914-17). Then, in 1919, the composer selected four pieces from this source, orchestrated them with all of his grace and artistry; the result provides a charming contrast to the pseudo-Baroque musical idiom, and places the pieces in a new and effective sequence. The work quickly gained great popularity immediately after the concertant world premiere, when the three dance movements of the orchestral suite were included in a ballet production.

The underpinnings of Monnard's edition are provided by the most important sources. The preface features a great deal of information on the interpretation and performance history of the work. This is the fifth major Ravel work now available in print from Breitkopf Urtext.