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"Includes exhaustive notes, a ten-page bibliography, a superb chronology of Ravel's life, and a complete catalog of his works. Highly recommended."--R./i>--R. Pitts "Choice "
Product Description
This new biography of Maurice Ravel (18751937), by one of the leading scholars of nineteenth- and twentieth-century French music, is based on a wealth of written and oral evidence, some newly translated and some derived from interviews with the composers friends and associates. As well as describing the circumstances in which Ravel composed, the book explores new evidence to present radical views of the composers background and upbringing, his notorious failure in the Prix de Rome, his incisive and often combative character, his sexual preferences, and his long final illness. It also contains the most detailed account so far published of his hugely successful American tour of 1928. The world of Maurice Ravel - including friendships (and some fallings-out) with Debussy, Fauré, Diaghilev, Gershwin, and Toscanini - is deftly uncovered in this sensitive portrait. Roger Nichols read Music at Worcester College, Oxford, with Edmund Rubbra and Frederick Sternfeld. He taught both Music and Classics in various schools and universities, before becoming a freelance writer, broadcaster and pianist in 1981. He was decorated as Chevalier de la Légion dhonneur in 2006 for his 40 years of service to French music.
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
8 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
Roger Nichols' new biography of composer, Maurice Ravel, is wonderful. It offers a thoroughly researched chronological narrative, illustrated by a wealth of musical examples (but not so many as to put off non musicians) and, and this feature is of great importance, a great many anecdotes which throw light on this highly complex and fascinating man.
One of the best stories concerns a remark of Ravel's great friend, Maurice Delage, who commented to Jean Gallois, "the most beautiful dawn scene of all time ("Daphnis and Chloe")was written by Ravel who used to stay in bed until 11.00am". Ravel was notoriously touchy and it is doubtful that he heard Delage's remark, otherwise he might perhaps have withdrawn his friendship. But the story is typical of the way Roger Nichols has provided us with a fully rounded picture of the man, his music and his times.
Fans of Ravel's music will need no encouragement to get hold of this great book and I would merely add that, as a pendant, they might also go to Jean Echenoz' short novel, "Ravel", available on Amazon in French and in English translation, which offers a lightly fictionalised but wholly accurate and moving account of Ravel's final years.
Highly recommended.
One of the best stories concerns a remark of Ravel's great friend, Maurice Delage, who commented to Jean Gallois, "the most beautiful dawn scene of all time ("Daphnis and Chloe")was written by Ravel who used to stay in bed until 11.00am". Ravel was notoriously touchy and it is doubtful that he heard Delage's remark, otherwise he might perhaps have withdrawn his friendship. But the story is typical of the way Roger Nichols has provided us with a fully rounded picture of the man, his music and his times.
Fans of Ravel's music will need no encouragement to get hold of this great book and I would merely add that, as a pendant, they might also go to Jean Echenoz' short novel, "Ravel", available on Amazon in French and in English translation, which offers a lightly fictionalised but wholly accurate and moving account of Ravel's final years.
Highly recommended.
20 of 21 people found the following review helpful
Format:Hardcover
I bought this book the day it was published. I have had difficulty in putting it down. The story of Ravel's life is riveting. Nichols writes with authority. He makes Ravel's life story incisive, understandable and above all entertaining.
However, for me, as a non-musician, it was very pleasing that Roger Nichols doesn't make it too 'musically challenging' as I don't read music. It is an amazing event for an Englishman to be awarded Le Legion d'Honeur for his work on one of France's most revered composers.
There is no doubt in my mind, that Roger Nichols is now regarded as the world's leading authority of Maurice Ravel. What an achievement!
However, for me, as a non-musician, it was very pleasing that Roger Nichols doesn't make it too 'musically challenging' as I don't read music. It is an amazing event for an Englishman to be awarded Le Legion d'Honeur for his work on one of France's most revered composers.
There is no doubt in my mind, that Roger Nichols is now regarded as the world's leading authority of Maurice Ravel. What an achievement!
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
Amazon.com:
2 reviews
Gripping, readable, informative.
10 April 2012
Format:Hardcover
Ravel
Roger Nichols biography of Ravel nearly sets a standard for its genre. Ravel is placed in his cultural milieu and his career and life then followed. Nichols writes well enough that one is carried forward as if reading a novel, but simultaneously he exhibits impeccable scholarship and a balanced approach. I needed to flesh out my understanding of the composer's life for a musical project that I had undertaken -- I had no idea I would take so much pleasure in the reading of it while being so well informed. Bravo!
Roger Nichols biography of Ravel nearly sets a standard for its genre. Ravel is placed in his cultural milieu and his career and life then followed. Nichols writes well enough that one is carried forward as if reading a novel, but simultaneously he exhibits impeccable scholarship and a balanced approach. I needed to flesh out my understanding of the composer's life for a musical project that I had undertaken -- I had no idea I would take so much pleasure in the reading of it while being so well informed. Bravo!
mind that creatred a remarkable series of compositions. Readers
9 Dec 2011
Format:Hardcover|Amazon Verified Purchase
An excellent and much needed English-language biography. The author shows a wide understanding of Ravel's complex life and the musical world of his time, and an intimate understanding of the compositions. The reader will need some knowledge of the components of musical composition to comprehend the descriptions of specific works.
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