How Ravel Writes for Orchestra

[@nicolasbautista3599]

I could watch 8 hours straight of these explanations

[@andrewfortmusic]

Me, too!

[@derkvandehulst6798]

YES, more please! It is enlightening

[@Roeming]

I got to the end, and was left wanting more!

[@seanbeadles7421]

Orchestration online has hours-long series analyzing Ravel along with other masters of orchestration like Debussy, Boulanger, and Holst.

[@letsnotgothere6242]

@@seanbeadles7421 Thank you!

[@Bati_]

@@seanbeadles7421 Thanks a lot!

[@MilsteinRulez]

Me too. Something you find late in the evening and stay up for.

[@SLDDPiano]

YES! I wish David made a video on Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe... it's an incredibly underrated and neglected masterpiece of orchestration. Also, I personally think no one comes close to Ravel when it comes to "painting" with an orchestra. His harmonies are insane, absolute genius.

[@josephredingmusic]

9:50ish Violinist here! That high A on the violin has a really powerful “pop” when you really lay into it; get the whole section to really strum and it comes through just fine!

[@Elizabeth-ld3jn]

hi david! i'm a classical harpist, and i just finished playing alborada! just wanted to add that the "près de la table" (abbreviated p.d.l.t.) seen in the harp part is an "special" effect with consists in playing the notes on the lower part of the string, close to the soundboard (harp strings are meant to be played in the center for best quality sound). this p.d.l.t. is typically used to evoke a guitar timbre, so it gives it an even more spanish vibe. another thing that ravel did marvelously in this orchestration!

[@jamesmackay4529]

Very nice! :)

[@ourson66]

Ravel was, along with Debussy, the most amazing composer for the harp. I fell in love with the instrument and greedily studied his scores (and Debussy’s) ... learn from the best!

[@VasilBelezhkov]

Or in other words - what we guitarists know as 'sul ponticello'

[@Elizabeth-ld3jn]

@@VasilBelezhkov didn't know that... very interesting, thank u!

[@tytywuu]

@@VasilBelezhkov and sometimes you can play the guitar near fret to achieve more harp-like sound afaik

[@victoriaa2281]

Just last week I walked from Ciboure, right past the house Ravel was born in, along the coastline to the border with Spain. An amazing place. And an amazing video - love the "what would I do" style.

[@DBruce]

I'm jealous!

[@benmarino1913]

Im a Composition Major and have studied Orchestration. Ravel's orchestral version of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition is also a stunningly majestic work of art.

[@modestoney1577]

Thank you for mentioning that. His orchestration of Mussorgsky is one of my alltime favourites. Gives me chills everytime.

[@benmarino1913]

@@modestoney1577 Definitely. Mine too!

[@jeffreyjeziorski1480]

​@@modestoney1577.........I am with you there, as I have also studied composition and orchestration....I suggest you listen closely to Mozart with an ear to his orchestration, which I consider to be outstanding and transparent.

[@A.F.Whitepigeon]

9:04 - "Because even though there are a lot of strings, a loud brass and percussion hit can easily drown out an entire string section." As a brass player, I take great pride in this.

[@EccentricFanboy]

As a woodwind player, that's such a brass thing to say. Let me guess, trumpet?

[@A.F.Whitepigeon]

@@EccentricFanboy No, though I can see why you'd think that.

[@chrissop]

@@EccentricFanboy Trumpets will be overplayed by a trombone section..😆

[@enelabe]

As a Basque guy all I have to say is thank you thank you thank you for raising awareness about Ravel's Basque origins! It's something that is very often passed over, as saying his mother was Spanish is much more comprehensible to all the people that don't know about the Basque Country; but he always took his Basque roots with pride. You even showcased an interpretation by the EOS (Euskadiko Orkestra Sinfonikoa), which is amazing! Thank you again from the bottom of my heart. Eskerrik asko!

[@martiglesias60]

Ravels mother was Spanish of the bask Region! Its not a country.

[@sirya-bookie9495]

“Some notes are more important than others.” Second Viennese School: *Hi*

[@mogmason6920]

[Laughs in Sprechgesang]

[@Killerbee4712]

"All notes are equal, but some notes are more equal than others" - Shostastalin

[@quinnlewis2003]

Lol

[@maxalaintwo3578]

@@mogmason6920 *Sprechstimmes in German*

[@davidsheriff9274]

Someone once asked a famous jazz musician "what's the most important beat?" He replied"the one coming up."

[@monge941]

Hi, Bruce! I’m a native spanish speaker and I think that in this context the word “gracioso” actually means “with grace”, “with charm” or “with elegance”. It’s because “gracioso” is an homograph word and also means “funny”. But It’s ok. The spanish is always tricky. I really enjoy your content. I’m a composition student and I have tons of good tips and knowledge because of your videos. I have a lot of respect and gratitude for you and your work. Saludos desde Centroamérica.

[@hase.von.b]

pensé lo mismo

[@AlexWhiteLanda]

wikipedia.org/wiki/Gracioso

[@athos604]

Just wanted to comment that too. Thanks for doing so, Eddy! :) I hope David gets the message though.

You are wrong (I'm a native Spanish speaker as well). It is an old term employed in the 16th century, and that's the meaning Ravel was referring to. Nowadays you are right that "gracioso" has the meanings you mention.

[@athos604]

@ Hey there! How do you know that? AFAIK, this piece is relatively modern, far away from the 16th century.... But from what I can gather you are right.In any case I think the basis of your answer could be best than... "You are wrong". This channel deserves to have civil conversations :)

[@I.amthatrealJuan]

Ravel was such a unique figure with his music that he occupies a niche on his own.

[@andrewzanas9387]

Gerswin went to France and begged Ravel to take him on as a student. Ravel sent him away saying basically go away, there's nothing left to teach him. I lol'd after hearing your extensive study of Rhapsody in Blue.

[@nekokate3904]

In the version I heard Ravel sent Gerswin away after hearing how much Gerswin was making in New York 😢

[@maestrorafaelribeiro]

The story I know goes by like this: "Why become a second-rate Ravel when you are already a first-rate Gershwin?"

[@giordanopagotto7940]

there's another version of this story, in witch Ravel asked Schoenberg to teach him, and Schoenberg, after seeing how much Gershwin was making in the US, asked him "wy would you want to study with me?!?"

[@GothicKin]

Mhhh curious how nobody ever saw Ravel and Gershwin in the same room ::thinking::

[@ListeningIn]

I’ve been waiting to watch this as I knew I’d love it. This was incredibly interesting (and a new piece of Ravel’s for me). Those pizz. string chords in an orchestral tutti, though!?

[@cashwarior]

missed opportunity to title it "unRaveling orchestration"

[@FilmScoreandMore]

Next time maybe. And I hope there is a next time.

[@maxalaintwo3578]

*Tokyo Ghoul OP starts playing*

[@yonatanbeer3475]

I've always wanted to make a series on Ravel called "Ravel unraveled"

[@FilmScoreandMore]

@@yonatanbeer3475 Please do! It’s funny and interesting.

[@yonatanbeer3475]

​@@FilmScoreandMore I think the fascinating thing about Ravel is how great his works are, and also how few they are. Most of the greats left scores of works, Ravel only composed about 30-40. And yet? he remains one of the greatest composers of all time, and also one of the most influencial. When I get a better mic I'll do it, probably.

[@Bourneo5]

A really brilliant video, thank you so much ! Speaking not as a composer or arranger, but as an orchestral and contemporary clarinettist I get so much out of your videos. It’s such a privilege to have a composer’s viewpoint on so many aspects of music and I always look forward to seeing new content from you. Keep up the amazing work !

[@AntonioOrtizMusic]

I love that you mentioned the importance of adding more percussion instruments than you might initally think. I've been looking at some orchestral scores lately and that was one of my big takeaways. I often think that a simple bass drum and maybe timpani will suffice, often forgeting and neglecting that there are a large array of drums to add more flavor to the piece (don't sleep on a good snare drum). Great video, David!

[@emanuel_soundtrack]

Its just for the tutti at the end what he said. Makes no sense, you will not gong your whole piece always when a triangle sounds no? Orquestration needs lessons and integral reflection, not teasers

[@wiesorix]

Oh no, this video felt too short, I want more of this! It's very interesting since I normally don't really pay attention to orchestratration when listening. Well, at least what to do in the next days: listen a lot to both versions of the piece.

[@thexalon]

13:08 The "avec baguette" instruction for the cymbals does *not* mean Ravel is instructing the percussionist to hit the cymbal with a loaf of bread. He's telling them to hit it with a stick rather than crash it with another cymbal.

[@bigilworth]

This one video was better than an entire year of undergraduate orchestration class! Thank you for making it!

[@MaxBerkowitzMinemax]

Tried to learn Alborada on the piano a few months back and quit like 16 bars in. Absolutely outstanding

[@na-kun2136]

Actually for play many Ravel's pieces your fingers must be flat and very relaxed. For me playing his Jeux d'eau was nightmare. Its very beautiful but incredibly hard.

[@JohannesWiberg]

That last part with the flageolet-like strings was astounding.

[@nigelhaywood9753]

I'm in love with the lady harpist!

[@kingkyleiv7960]

👀

[@guscox9651]

this will be useful for A level music, thank you!

[@timcox5373]

And so my love of Ravel continues

[@corneliuslow]

I have never heard of this piece, thank you

[@leoinsf]

Beyond brilliant, just like Ravel's music! So easy to follow and brilliantly explained. As a pianist, I loved the full discussion of the piano version. It is unbelievable that Ravel's piano music is so perfectly written for piano and when orchestrated, it seems perfectly written for orchestra! I would love a discussion of Ravel's masterwork: "Daphnis et Chloe". I am playing the piano version of Ravel and also the piano version of Ravel as realized by Maltempo. When Ravel orchestrated this masterwork, it was as if it was originally conceived for orchestra. As I play the piano version, I come to an awareness of the magnificence and intricacy of Ravel's masterwork. Ravel is the most under-rated composer ever! Everything he wrote seemed to be as close to perfection as any composer before or after him. Moving from "Pavane for a Dead Princess" to "Daphnis et Chloe" shows the evolution of a magnificent composer!

[@declanwilcox9445]

This has got to be some of the highest quality music content on youtube. I wish this video never ended!

[@shivani41]

So wonderful receive your insight whilst celebrating Ravel, the dear, dear love of a man. Adding that your words served to help me to comprehend my love for his compositions. And viva flamenco! Forever and ever. Thank you so much.

[@jackminto7062]

I wanted a video like this and one of my favourite compositional youtubers posted this on my birthday. It's a good present.

[@pyotr2352]

This is the earliest I’ve ever been! Love your content!

[@1685Violin]

I really wish you could analyze the orchestration of his _Pavane for the Death of the Prinecess_ . That piece fascinates me.

[@telaim]

So I do! But I was a bit disappointed to learn that Ravel didn't like it very much...may be because it was an early work , he was still studying composition with Fauré . Anyway I will never get tired of this music. By the way Thanks David and longue vie au roi Louis 14 ;-)

[@1685Violin]

@@telaim The correct French translation for "Long live King Louis XIV" is "Vive le roi Louis XIV". "Vive" is the third person singular imperative of "vivre".

[@telaim]

@@1685Violin You know...I'm french! Are you? you seems to know well french language ! The entire sentence is "Le roi est mort, vive le roi" but I was just wishing you a long life;-)

[@1685Violin]

@@telaim No, I know very little French. I know a lot of Spanish though but not fluent enough to speak in professional settings.

[@ivyssauro123]

@@telaim I actually prefer Fauré's, it's in fact one of my least favorite Ravel pieces and I feel it's overplayed haha

[@seanclancy4938]

Really, REALLY enjoyed this. I've always been interested in how Ravel (and others) decided which instruments/timbres worked best for orchestrating piano works. Thanks so much!

[@eporeon]

thank you for this video. ravel means a lot to me and this is one of my favorite of his pieces

[@robinhaigh1249]

Another fascinating video, David!

[@joshforletta7648]

Yes a video I’ve been waiting for!! Thank you!

[@prototropo]

I had a Pulitzer Prize winner for my orchestration class instructor years ago, but David Bruce offers more wisdom of judgment and sheer technical nutrition in a half-hour than an entire semester under Professor Pedantic.

[@gregonline6506]

I really love these insighs. I have been living in spain for quite some years, assisting to flamenco presentations and getting that kind of vibe the astonishing mix of music influences on the iberic peninsula was molten into a quite distinct language. Beautifully explained here, thx a lot.

[@looppool]

I've taught various aspects of music, professionally for 43 years. This is one of the most enjoyable and elucidating pieces of 'teaching' I've seen. Good on you, Bruce. Thanks!

[@collinbeal]

Oh wow that pizz/ nat harmonic combination really is something spectacular. It really sticks in your ear

[@ob4161]

unRAVELing Ravel's orchestration!

[@davidlast4620]

Is David Bruce the BDG of classical music youtube now?

[@ob4161]

@S Great minds think alike

[@maxalain9948]

You had to say it

[@Ventilatueur]

Fascinating Mr. Bruce! I'd take your Ravel's orchestration analysis every day of the week!

[@composer7325]

Brilliant,I just found it on youtube, but I will have to look at it a few times.Thank you for this wonderful upload.

[@nelsonfilho6587]

Finally a great orchestration content! Thanks a lot!

[@stevehinnenkamp5625]

Wonderful detailed, informative analysis. Dear Bruce, you went to great lengths to reveal the genius of Ravel. Thank you.

[@Allan-et5ig]

David Bruce Composer - This is fantastic!

[@tonysouter8095]

Oh that was one of your best, David. I hope the viewers appreciate the trouble you went to (apart from conceiving the superb narrative). Well done.

[@leavemealoneiknowhatimdoing]

I believe the repetitive notes at 6:40 are intended to emulate the typical tremolo used in flamenco guitar. Thanks for this amazing video

[@martiglesias60]

Ravels mother had Spanish nationality. Euskadi (Bask country is a region).

[@ZachHeyde]

Phenomenal analysis, David-this is my favorite video of yours to date! Would love to see more like this 😁

[@ArgoBeats]

So valuable and effective, I'm a pianist and always loved orchestration, finally someone is explaining it in a very understandable way. Thank you David!

[@piktormusic2538]

Great topic handled so well. Thanks David for highlighting some beautiful colours and Ravel’s thinking.

[@Peter69evans]

As a relatively new composer, having only recently completed my first quartet, the symphony orchestra has always been incredibly daunting. I know I'm not quite ready for it yet, but it is definitely a goal to strive for. I love to see these videos that give a little peek behind the curtain of a genius like this. I definitely feel very inspired and confident that its something I can achieve one day! Thank you so much, David. (I love your orchestration as well)

[@RobberZhi]

Every second of this video was a revelation about a piece I already love. I'll never hear it quite the same way. Thank you so much.

[@kellykoistinen1934]

omg thank you for uploading this ive always loved how Ravel choses hes orchestration and he is probably my favorite composer

[@estarling8766]

Thanks for letting us know how complex Ravel's composing work is.

[@sydposting]

Ravel is what got me introduced to your channel, via your analysis of La Valse! Always happy to see you really get into his stuff. Cheers!

[@pablov1973]

Fascinating video about one of my favorite composers, Ravel and his unique wit for orchestration.

[@amitlanis3104]

This video helped me a lot, i currently composing my second symphony and still haven't managed to get much out of the percussion, your tip of trying to use more then one type of percussion a time helped a lot in the scherzo.

[@billyruss]

Fascinating insight into the creation of those little nuances; I particularly liked the idea of stacking the percussion for the big hit, and the idea of the sustained harmonics as offering that icy stillness uncoloured by vibrato. Another great little video :-)

[@maxalain9948]

I could use a whole playlist of orchestration!

[@Rom14DH]

We need more of these. Brilliant orchestration and you explained it perfectly

[@Lamadesbois]

Thank you for the video. The juxtaposition of your take and Ravel's really is a clever way to highlight his ideas of orchestration (as well as a glimpse into yours). It left me contemplating the idea of orchestrating a piece 🙂

[@musicavox]

Brilliant demonstration!! Thank you!!

[@BrunoWiebelt]

good learning today thank you

[@ramesh0785]

How could people dislike your work? Since, I love orchestration, video editing & animation, I am impressed with your animated clips, e.g. harp player clip.

[@doctorscoot]

Love this sort of breakdown thank you David! As someone who composes in guitar and electronic music (but who listened to orchestral music all their life) I love the way you break orchestration and composition down it’s illuminating and instructive. Especially if I ever get the budget to employ an orchestra!

[@jaydee8872]

Terrific. I played all of Miroirs (including the Alborada) when I was in school and have played the orchestrated version since. It's a great piece either way. Thanks for the breakdown!

[@paulwilson4594]

The editing In this video is top Notch! And content bangin’ as usual! Thank you

[@PaulDMills]

9:59 “Never use one when multiple will do” perfect description

[@hesipege]

I very much enjoyed this. Thank you SO much for taking the time to work all this out.

[@Shunarjuna]

Very eye opening. Would love to see more of these orchestration videos.

[@leptyga]

MORE OF THIS!!! Supremely enjoyable good sir!

[@Teddy-Cool]

Cheers for this Bruce

[@DannyPlass]

Awesome content, thanks!

[@DannyPlass]

Thirsty for more.

[@eriksnijders4370]

Fascinating, as always!

[@chrissymomo]

@9:45 I am fairly confident that most violin sections would divide that last chord. This way some people play the bottom two and the others play the top two. This way the chord will 'speak' better without the roll distortion.

[@soniabenhamida8984]

Fantastic and highly pedagogical approach. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and your views.

[@Bati_]

This quickly has become one of my favorite videos in the entire universe now! Incredible as always! Such a tribute! Thanks so much for it! 🙏

[@slimyelow]

OMG Bruce this is so cool! I wish you would do a whole series on Ravel Orchestration, maybe even a Udemy course for composers.

[@AhimSaah]

Absolutely brilliant, Bruce! I would like to sit for hours and watch the full analysis of the Alborada. Ravel really is a fine Swiss watch mechanic of the orchestration. I played the piano piece, some places are just unplayable, nobody in the world can play the repeated notes on a modern concert grand, everyone's goal is just to find a way to musically cheat, drop the tempo or something else. I've been wondering for years: did Ravel have an orchestral version in mind when he wrote the piano piece? This would explain the awkwardness of the technics used (repeated notes, glissandos in thirds and fourths, awkward wide appoggiaturas, daring jumps etc.) but on the other hand Scarbo is even more unpianistic and awkward and unplayable and he never orchestrated that. A truth genius walking on a narrow line between heaven and hell 😁!

[@ernietollar407]

beautiful instructive analysis thank you!

[@thornlessgnu412]

Great video, it inspired me a lot for a project I'm working on right now!

[@HebaruSan]

First time I've had a sense of the big picture behind why I was supposed to play certain notes at certain times in band. Thanks!

[@Vincent-ig2cb]

And I thought Ravel was a really great orchestrator. You have shown here that he was the genius everybody say's he is. Your analysis was so interesting, it finished way too soon. Thank you so much.

[@peterschaffter826]

Blast from the past for me. Thanks, David. I was immediately thrown back to my student days, studying advanced orchestration under Czech-Canadian composer Oskar Morawetz. We dissected every one of Ravel's piano to orchestra transcriptions, with the most amount of time given over to _Pictures at an Exhibition_. At times, it seemed as if Ravel's attention to detail verged on superhuman. In truth, this mere mortal actually learned more about orchestration from Rimsky-Korsakof, where the fairy dust of genius is less important than mastering the basics of orchestral balance, resonance, and voice leading.

[@sallylee4924]

This is great! Would love more videos like this. I could watch hours of this.

[@victorgrauer5834]

What a great resource. Thanks so much.

[@bigl5343]

Ravel is the epitome of orchestration. I particularly like the orchestration of his "Piano Concerto in D major for Left-hand". The way the melody flows between the pianist and orchestra was superb.

[@telaim]

So interesting, merci mille fois cher Bruce ;)

[@dariopeil2785]

How insightful, thank you.

[@me_is_hobo]

Happy birthday, Ravel!

[@maxtofone]

Thanks a lot for this great video and initial analysis... Many Blessings, Max T.

[@neilwalsh3977]

Benjamin Britten's Les Illuminations has a brilliant Ravelian like Guitarra section for strings

[@rebeccatripp36]

This was an incredibly fun breakdown!

[@karlprybyloski8001]

Amazing video and topic, you are brilliant and I simply cannot express how much I loved and how I learned from you. I love Ravel as pianist and you video gave me more skills and imagination to play better his pieces from sound and imagination perspective. Thank you!

[@ericrakestraw664]

Very interesting. I studied this piece in graduate school 20 years ago when I was trying to expand my composing beyond just the piano.

[@Garspawnish]

Those “schmoozey” chords are some of the most gorgeous in music history, Btw, David, Id love for you to do a vid on Haydn’s orchestrations. He’s experimenting with so many different timbres, etc. ❤️👍🎶

[@SoleaGalilei]

Wonderful explanation and glimpse into the creative mind of one of the greats!

[@skerpracso]

Very good analysis! Please do more of this!

[@christopherfederici2776]

Both you and your videos are fantastic. Thank you so much for your work.