Maurice Ravel

Pavane

Ravel composed his Pavane pour une infante défunte (Pavane for a Dead Princess) for piano solo in 1899 while he was studying at the Paris Conservatory under Gabriel Fauré. Although it was published just one year later in 1900, it wasn't until 5 April 1902 that it was given its first performance at the hands of Ravel's friend Ricardo Viñes. A version orchestrated by Ravel himself was published in 1910.

When asked about the title, Ravel said it was meaningless and merely because of his predilection for alliteration (the French infante and défunte). On another occasion, however, he also mentioned that the piece was in keeping with how he imagined a pavane to be, how it might have been danced by a little princess on a painting by Velázquez.

The strings only play in the first position (except for a few bars in the cello); the viola can be supported or replaced by a Violin III. Additionally, an easy part for the violin allows beginners to join in as it only requires the first finger pattern. The parts are marked with bowing.

In addition to a full complement of strings, it is essential to have Woodwind I (flute) and Brass I (trumpet) for any performance. For greater Impressionistic colouring and to get closer to the original, the arrangement also allows for other woodwind and brass (oboe, clarinet, bassoon or bass clarinet, horn or alto saxophone, trombone) as well as timpani, percussion and harp (or piano instead) but they do not necessarily have to be included.

Easier substitute notes have also been added to some passages which might be too high or too low for some musicians to play; only in the Woodwind IV and Brass IV part (bar 26/27) do the small additional notes provide an extra 5th voice.

The score is written in C while the parts in the parts book are transposed accordingly.