Debussy and Ravel on the Threshold of the 20th Century | The Tonic - Episode 4

tonebase presents the tonic: a podcast about music and the people who make it.
Hosted by Lowry Yankwich, the tonic delves into the hidden meanings behind great works of the past with legendary pianists of the present. For more: tb.media/thetonic
Episode 4: The Odd Couple | Debussy and Ravel on the Threshold of the 20th Century
Debussy and Ravel are often conjoined in the minds of piano students as the two French "impressionist" composers. But much is lost in such generalizations. This episode unpacks the distinct contributions of each composer, comparing and contrasting their novel uses of register, texture, harmony, narrative, and form. How did the two turn-of-the-century Parisians depart from the past, and how did they influence the future of art music? Lowry Yankwich seeks to answer these questions with the help of pianists Gwendolyn Mok, Arie Vardi, Jean-Efflam Bavouzet, Inna Faliks, and Noam Sivan.
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Producer: Ben Laude, Head of Piano / tonebase
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[@d.mulanovich]

Vlado Perlemuter's Ravel recordings are a treasure

[@dennischiapello3879]

Wonderful presentation, but I can't believe they missed such an important observation about Ravel's Ondine--especially since they mentioned that Ravel's reference point was a poem by Bertrand. In that poem, Ondine appears as a muse in the form of rain hitting against the window panes as the poet writes at his desk. This is clearly why Ravel created so original a pianistic effect (repeated triads) for the particular type of wateriness he was after, rather than the usual arpeggios--which later, of course, appear in profusion! Yet the rain against the window--from pattering to violent beating--continues throughout the piece.

[@starduststereo]

wow, had no idea about this.

[@Poeme340]

Brilliant discussion-so much fun-thx!!👍

[@bangtancoffret8041]

This is so beautiful information. I always love Debussy but i didn't know why i loved and enjoyed his music. Now I can realize the reasons thanks for this podcast.

[@janetcraft]

Thank you very much for presenting this podcast Mr. Lowry :) Debussy and Ravel's music helped to inspire me to learn more of their background interests which in turn out to become music masterpieces. I was looking for a documentary film about comparing both composers - I'm glad I found you first :)

[@beathaven303]

Ondine... Debussy. The most beautiful piano piece I've ever heard. Pure, majestic and gorgeous storytelling.

[@handledav]

ravel

[@andrewanderson6121]

​@@handledavDebussy's Ondine is from Prelude, bk. 2

[@SR71YF12]

Very informative and entertaining podcast with some for me new insights into both the personalities and the music of these two great composers. Much appreciated!

[@margarethansen7480]

I appreciate this a lot, nice commenters with beautiful music.👏👏👏

[@starduststereo]

so nice , love these two composers and the vibes they create

[@AndyRubio1]

I really enoyed this thanks!

[@sonder8059]

Very good! I try to be influenced by ravel and debussy in all of my pieces😁

[@ronnybar-gadda6790]

Great!

[@douglasdennis797]

Just a point of clarity. Did Gwendolyn Mok mistakenly attribute Georges Seurat's "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" to Camille Pissarro? I thought maybe she was referring to "The Garden of the Tuileries on a Spring Morning" but i am not sure now.

[@KobaltBlue680]

What is the piece at the beginning?

[@MarkDarnell-cq2wy]

The narrater says the name of the piece - repeatedly throughout the 1st 5 minutes! You need to listen, better!

[@KobaltBlue680]

@@MarkDarnell-cq2wy indeed I do. Let us be better. Be blessed.

[@handledav]

couple

[@zanerobison2956]

I find it funny people think Debussy loved his daughter when her name was shoo shoo. lol

[@MathieuPrevot]

Claude-Emma Debussy, surnommée Chouchou, which can mean "cookie" or "favorite" or "cutie". Of course you need to aknowledge the cultural context, localisation etc instead of being monocultural-centric.

[@stephenarnold6359]

The music, great; the talk, commonplace and trite. I'm sure both Debussy and Ravel would be appalled by this labouring of the obvious and would say "Just let the music speak for itself. Don't try to explain it"

[@christopherczajasager9030]

Shout out? New Americaism

[@DeflatingAtheism]

After all the extended harmony, the major chord Debussy's Ondine ends on just sounds so... _wrong._

[@MarkDarnell-cq2wy]

Ondine is RAVEL! WTF is wrong with people? Internet and social media is dulling the brain, and lowering intelligence!

[@햄스터와집사의하루]

Ù⁸⁸888 88⁸⁸⁸⁸⁸⁸⁸⁸8⁸⁸⁸⁸⁸⁸8888⁸

[@jeanbrenier2166]

Super , deux compositeurs français pour une comparaison éclairante et rien en français....

[@tchaffman]

Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel were two of the most renowned composers of their time, and they had been friends for many years. Despite their differences in personality and musical style, they had always respected and admired each other's work. One summer, Debussy and Ravel decided to spend some time together at Debussy's countryside retreat in France. They spent their days composing music and their evenings discussing the latest trends in classical music. As the weeks passed, Debussy and Ravel found themselves growing closer and closer. They discovered that they had a deep connection not only through their shared love of music, but also through their similar tastes and interests. One night, as they sat by the fireplace sipping on glasses of wine, Debussy turned to Ravel and said, "Maurice, I have something to confess. I have feelings for you that go beyond friendship. I think I might be falling in love with you." Ravel was taken aback at first, but as he looked into Debussy's eyes, he knew that he felt the same way. "Claude, I have been trying to ignore these feelings for a long time, but I can't deny it anymore. I am falling in love with you too." From that moment on, Debussy and Ravel were inseparable. They spent the rest of the summer at the retreat, composing beautiful music and exploring the depths of their love for each other. Their relationship was not easy, as they faced many challenges and obstacles due to the societal norms of the time, but they were determined to make it work. And in the end, their love for each other proved to be stronger than anything else. Debussy and Ravel's love story is one of the most inspiring and romantic in the history of classical music, and it serves as a reminder that love knows no bounds and can conquer all obstacles.

[@MathieuPrevot]

Sources ? References ? I think you made up this false story for some reason. That's not ethical.

[@MathieuPrevot]

"Ravel n’a jamais caché son admiration pour l’oeuvre de son aîné, Claude Debussy. Les deux compositeurs se rencontrent en 1901 et entretiennent des rapports amicaux jusqu’en 1905, date à partir de laquelle s'installe une certaine tension. La rumeur dit alors que Ravel reproche à Debussy l'emprunt du thème principal de sa Habanera pour La soirée dans Grenade. Il semble plus vraisemblablement que cette 'non amitié' soit due à des divergences d’opinion. Du point de vue musical, en tout cas, Debussy ne manque pas de critiquer l’oeuvre de Ravel, qu’il juge trop artificielle : « Ce qui m’agace, c’est son attitude de faiseur de tour ou mieux, de Fakir charmeur, qui fait pousser des fleurs autour d’une chaise. » (Lettre du 25 janvier 1907 de Claude Debussy à Jacques Durand)" www.radiofrance.fr/francemusique/maurice-ravel-10-petites-choses-que-vous-ne-savez-peut-etre-pas-sur-le-compositeur-du-bolero-3969792

[@KobaltBlue680]

Complete bullshit. What is wrong with you?

[@dennischiapello3879]

This is some romantic fever dream of your own. All evidence points to a womanizing Debussy and a possibly gay Ravel (with, however, a not very active sexual life.) Furthermore, their friendship was probably not terribly deep. Certainly, they became quite estranged over time.

[@firephilosopher7645]

What is the point of this?

[@vulkanosaure]

Omg dude ... Ads every 4 minutes, really ? I'm out

[@sybedijkstra1]

Adblocker could help