Maurice Ravel - 3 Poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé

- Composer: Joseph-Maurice Ravel (7 March 1875 -- 28 December 1937)
- Performers: Matti Hirvikangas (viola), Ulf Forsberg (violin), Nils-Erik Sparf (violin), Per Billman (bass clarinet), Per Billman (clarinet), Lars Paulsson (clarinet), Peter Rydström (piccolo), Peter Rydström (flute), Andreas Alin (flute), Bengt Forsberg (piano), Mats Lindström (cello)
- Soloist: Anne Sofie von Otter (mezzo soprano)
- Year of recording: 1994
Trois poèmes de Stéphane Mallarmé, song cycle for voice & ensemble (or piano), written in 1913.
00:00 - I. Soupir [à Igor Stravinsky]
04:22 - II. Placet futile [à Florent Schmitt]
08:55 - III. Surgi de la croupe et du bond [à Erik Satie]
In a 1927 interview, Maurice Ravel said of the symbolist poet Stéphane Mallarmé that he "exorcised our language, like the magician that he was. He has released the winged thoughts, the unconscious daydreams from their prison." Mallarmé had been an immense influence on a variety of artists, including Ravel, who had set his first Mallarmé poem, Sainte, in 1896 and returned to the poet's work in 1913 with the Trois poèmes. Around that time Ravel had heard Igor Stravinsky's Trois poésies de la lyrique japonaise (1912-1913), and was particularly impressed by Stravinsky's arrangement, in which the singer was backed by an ensemble of piano, string quartet, two flutes, and two clarinets. Stravinsky, in turn, had been much influenced by Arnold Schoenberg's notorious Pierrot lunaire (1912), with its similar instrumentation. On completing his songs, which employed the same instrumental layout as Stravinsky's, Ravel envisioned what he called a "scandalous concert," featuring his songs along with Stravinsky's and Schoenberg's. That concert did take place, although with songs by Maurice Delage replacing the Schoenberg, under the auspices of the Société Musicale Indépendante on 14 January 1914. Soprano Jane Bathori, one of the best known French singers of her day, was featured, along with an ensemble conducted by Désiré-Emile Inghelbrecht.
The increasing angularity and dissonance of Ravel's Trois poèmes reflects the increasingly dissociative imagery of the three Mallarmé poems. The first song, "Soupir" (Sigh), is in two parts, the first slow and delicate (evoking the poet's "white fountains"), the second more spacious and evanescent. The vocal line becomes more a bit more jagged in "Placet futile" (Futile Petition), a gently melancholy love song. And with the third and final song, "Surgi de la croupe et du bond" (Risen from the Crupper and Leap), Ravel comes as close to the atonality of Arnold Schoenberg as he ever would. This setting of what Ravel once called "the strangest, if not the most hermetic" of Mallarmé's sonnets is still and mysterious, with a very spare accompaniment.
Coincidentally, at the very time that Ravel was composing his Trois poèmes, Claude Debussy was also setting three of Mallarmé's poems (both were perhaps inspired by a new complete edition of Mallarmé's poetry which had just been published). Not only that, but they had both chosen to set two of the same poems; Debussy called this a "phenomenon of autosuggestion worthy of communication to the Academy of Medicine."

[@AndrewRudin]

Gide said: "Mallarme is untranslatable. Even into French." But I think Ravel has done it. These are incredible.

[@labemolmineur]

That.was.incredible. I am so sad to be back down on earth.

[@charlesmchugh8811]

So delicate and subtle. I can't think of a single Ravel piece that I don't like. Reportedly, Debussy once said about Ravel that he had the best ear. I think that too. His sense of balance and color is so perfect. Whether he's dealing with these subtle songs or Daphnis et Chloe, he's always in complete control and everything is heard (and that's not easy). Thanks for the upload.

[@olla-vogala4090]

+Charles McHugh Perhaps the one piece I don't really like is his Bolero, but I agree that usually he is just great.

[@charlesmchugh8811]

+olla-vogala Ha ha. Yes, Bolero. I've avoided that piece so long that I didn't think of it until you mentioned it. That's a "gimmick" piece I guess.But the orchestration is still fine. And come to think of it, what about the Shostakovich Symphony No. 7. Bartok even parodied that in his Concerto for Orchestra. Well, frankly, I'm a lover, I accept those Ravel and Shostakovich pieces too even if they're not as good as L'enfant et les Sortileges or the Tenth Symphony.

Well, the Bolero is a 'bestseller' piece if you wish, and as with all such, I've always had problems with it. It was hard to listen to, let alone enjoy it, as it was with Für Elise, Canon in D and such. Mostly because of their omnipresence. But, as I matured and started gaining objectiveness in music, it came into my sight why exactly are those pieces still 'bestsellers', and quality indeed is one of the reasons. It's a shame, though, that society in its greed tends to spoil everything arts can offer. I'm not really in love with Bolero, I can't stand Canon in D, Für Elise triggers my gag reflex, but I can't deny the beauty, pensiveness and simplicity that they had originally offered. Just a late thought.

[@SpaghettiToaster]

Hipster.

[@handoverthegroj]

He composed Bolero as an experiment in to the world of the machine. It was intended to be an image of a factory, hence the repetitive rhythms and mechanical nature of its structure, I don't think he ever intended it to be his most famous work and it's sad that that is how most people know him and the rest of his output is the in my opinion pretty much the best music has to offer :)

[@GenesisProgressive72]

I never imagined such sounds could be pulled out of a string quartet

[@virtuousvibes2852]

somehow, harmonics are just one of the most beautiful things that a violin could ever bring out

[@jacobtapianieto9655]

Ravel was indeed a real artisan on his craft, both as a composer and as an orchestrator.

[@Nanananaheyhey1]

This was so interesting and different than anything I've heard by Ravel

[@queraltvivocasanovas]

Kevin Bailey this is the greatest work by Ravel along with The Chansons Madécasses

[@Magnet12]

I know it sounds Alien and transcendent, like Scriabin

[@evanottervanger5394]

The second poem is absolutely stunning

[@bernardparret3191]

I do agree. You are quite right.

[@simonkawasaki4229]

I cannot put in words how much I love this, so I will not try. All I will say is that Ravel is quickly becoming one of my favorite composers. 2:36

[@Rhythmmical]

This is Ravel, so of course I love this after the first few notes. And that haunting third piece ending!

[@CRCVDE]

Rehearsing this now at the moment. concert is this Sunday. I really hope I won't cry on stage. Especially at 2:17

[@tao5143]

Yeah. How did it go, bro?

[@fernie51296]

This is just incredible.

[@kniazigor2276]

Tout Ravel est contenu dans ces 3 poèmes, véritables chefs-d'oeuvre à l'instar de "L'enfant et les sortilèges"

[@luisarmenta1849]

this was made when he lived with stravinsky stravinsky said in his book conversations that this is his favorite piece ravel made

[@jeremy8473]

Stravinsky and Ravel living together? What a duo

[@hauthot287]

@@jeremy8473they worked on an orchestration for khovamshchina by Mussorgsky together

[@nicholasemerson3155]

Such a gorgeous textures with voice and strings.

[@user-oi5pf5nt9q]

Хотел послушать несколько секунд , но не смог оторваться и дослушал всё до конца . Неземная музыка , просто чудо !!!

[@tanquereychris8388]

one of ravels masterpiece !!! not played enough unhappilly!!

[@Wkkbooks]

should never be played unhappily!

[@harryandruschak2843]

Beautiful. Cannot remember ever hearing this before.

[@HarDiMonPetit]

Subtle whispering splendor! Thanks for uploading!

[@kanjuro8926]

I don't know how the country I was born and where I live in produced such a sophisticated genius. I can't relate to this

[@queraltvivocasanovas]

Thanks for the information on the description of the video:)

[@delphineg3045]

C'est très beau, merci!

[@NanaKwame96]

Magical. Otherworldly.

[@didierclot5331]

Quelle beauté parfaite bravo

[@nightshade8958]

This is unbelievable. Every time I listen to ravel or any other of the great composers I am dumbfounded that these pieces of music exist in the same realm or dimension as we do.

[@Magnet12]

How would you know what exists in the other dimensions?

[@franckmousset4022]

Sublime !!!

[@fisherroastedpeanut]

Very colorful

[@egapnala65]

Apparently inspired by Schoenberg's "Pierrot Lunaire" which Ravel hoped to bring to Paris in 1913. The war intervened.

[@Dylonely42]

Hauntingly beautiful.

[@limrc1]

Dear Universe, please give us more Ravels!! Who could be the reincarnation of Ravel? Thanks for sharing!

[@MultiDansk8]

I am, just give me a sec I will upload my pieces...

[@axxentgaming8435]

I actually feel some Toru Takemitsu vibe in this Ravel's Piece. You can check him out if you want.

[@KinkyLettuce]

Heres a name for you: Guillaume Connesson Hes a contemporary French composer. While his name isnt quite as "big" as other guys in the game(like Ades), his take on orchestration is highly praised by conductors and critics, and said to be absolutely on par with Ravel's intricacy

[@Scriabinfan593]

@Luis Muñoz I love Marsalis’ violin concerto

[@SuChanSangMusic]

@@KinkyLettuce I just discovered this composer thanks to your comment. I am so glad I did, amazing music!!!

[@johnpablorojas4393]

this will be what i cite as inspiration until i die. what a masterpiece

[@franckcoinchelin9862]

Magie musicale ..

[@federicozimerman8167]

uplifting music great for breakfast on a sunny day

[@TheChazzyC]

The first poem. Wow.

[@chaophray]

Am I going deaf or is the volume of this upload quite low?

[@lunchmind]

very low. you are not going deaf.

[@thomgandet8369]

No, your hearing is probably just fine. The loudest dynamic in the score is mp, and the piece ends ppp.

[@lunchmind]

@@thomgandet8369 oh okay, thank you.

[@billyves1]

This is the way it has to be sung and played, as often here and there "chez J.-Maurice Ravel". With his creation, music, and him, you sort of meant to think that you're entering in paintings, full of soft colours, and it's going to be a sort of fairyland... Or that is the way he always made me feel. There is something of the kids world too. Un monde... Le Monde Merveilleux de l'Enfance, pur, très léger et insouciant et d'une grande spiritualité... ;-).

[@paolomartinelli3119]

:-) Thank you!!

[@Medtnaculuss]

Woohoo, Florent Schmitt!

[@gerardbegni2806]

The Three poems by Maalarmé, the leader of the hermetic poets in France, are among the most advanced works of Maurice Ravel. He had hearsd of "Pierrot Lunaire" of Schoenberg" but never heard it nior read the sccre, not easily available at that time. So, here is no direct influence except the idea of the small orchestral set of instruments. and the idea of going as far as possible in his own harmonic language, which is always tinal. Raval ever used the atonality but went very far in hte tonal language up to chordal regions rhat are difficult to classify. . The vocal melodic line id typical from the composer, with often a modal flavour.

[@klaussimon3807]

Dear Gérard, Ravel was also influenced by Strawinsky who wrote short before Trois Poèmes de la lyrique japonaise for the same forces. It’s also a incredible good piece!! He visited Strawinsky in Clarens and composed there Soupir.

[@josephalvarez5315]

I've never heard anything like the sound I heard at 3:50. It sounds like it's from a different planet

[@CMLPoP]

,,Ich fühle luft von anderem planeten'' as Schoenberg?

[@josephalvarez5315]

CML PoP Not quite, although schoenberg's Quartet is a fine piece of music. But schoenberg's planet to me is so dark that you can't make out a single figure. The planet of 3:50 is bright, filled with colors that simply don't exist on earth. Idk. Maybe I'm trying to be too artsy and poetic about it, but that moment in music made me shoot up in my seat. Unlike anything I've heard before

[@elizabethmoriarty1661]

Joseph Alvarez I think the beauty of Ravel from this period is the way the dissonance always still threatens to resolve, which is what makes it so thrilling, the tension is used to evoke both frisson and meaning, whereas one always feels in the second Viennese school any musical effect is used to justify technique, rather than vice versa.

[@CosmosDweller]

Wow!

[@_wade_morgan]

This piece is the definition of impressionism

[@bernardparret3191]

Yes and no.

[@jeremy8473]

2nd movement is beautiful

[@phillipoos]

Remarkable....

[@Emiliasooo]

6:51 Esta música de manda a un estado de ensoñación muy profundo.

[@puccio1795]

supreme

[@XinhaoZheng]

This would definitely make Ravel a contemporary composer. It's rather expressionist, not impressionist.

[@bernardparret3191]

Very interesting indeed !

[@jeremy8473]

If only he had just lived 20 more years!

[@theunknown6056]

I think you should listen to his L'enfant et les sortilèges.

[@MarcoConnell]

A delicacy..

[@mounchipounchi]

Bien dommage que la vaste majorité de la population du monde ne puisse saisir le sens et la délicatesse de ce texte. Même dans le monde francophone, Mallarmé demeure une entité obscure et hermétique... alors on n'ose pas imaginé en dehors! En passant, je suis québecois, et la poésie française est de loin ma favorite.

[@elizabethmoriarty1661]

Alexandre Boily would you care to expand on this, it would be good to have the insight of a native French speaker on subtleties that escape even the educated anglophone. Even as a non-educated one, I find the literal translations of these songs rather irritating.

[@ZAWARUD00]

Bien le bonjour. Mallarmé est mon poète favoris, et je regrette que si peu de gens l'apprécient.

[@joondochang843]

Awesome, is that what I am seeing? ARTIFICIAL HARMONICS?!! I feel bad for the violinists....

[@andrewfortmusic]

Not quite! Ravel is a genius and he thought this through, so (if you’re talking the really quick ones at the beginning) these are not artificial harmonics but natural harmonics! Each one is played with a different finger on an open string! But yes there are some artificial harmonics as well, and they are so beautiful I can hardly imagine that the strings players would mind much (and the ones he writes aren’t particularly difficult because they’re not moving). :)

[@henrytedds5585]

Possibly the best piece ever?

[@13kmawayfromyou39]

one of the bests

[@lucas__machado]

I think this is Ravel masterpiece, really. Do you guys know other works that could sound similar ?

[@akadetrorjk]

His string quartet is a must listen, the arpeggiated strings in the first poem happens a lot in his quartet, also his Dephnis et Chloe suite is beatiful, or if you like songs try his Trois Beaux Oiseaux du Paridis

[@lucas__machado]

@@akadetrorjk Thank you !! I know these of course I'm Ravel biggest fan, his works are so wonderful

[@akadetrorjk]

@@lucas__machado Yeah, Ravel is incredible

[@limrc1]

Ineffable! Any translations to the lyrics?

[@olla-vogala4090]

Here: www.lieder.net/lieder/assemble_texts.html?SongCycleId=80

[@limrc1]

Thank you so much. I don't know what's in Ravel's tear-jerking, emotionally moving works. Can you refer me to some links and books that tells me more about him? Are there modern composers that is similar to his style? Of course Ravel can only be Ravel. Thank you for sharing your works.

[@MatthieuStepec]

Maybe Adès? Or Samy Moussa? :)

[@elizabethmoriarty1661]

limrc1 he makes great of use of what’s now known as ‘musical frisson’, certain kinds of dissonance , sharp dynamic changes etc that literally have a physiological effect (an area that had only recently been started to be researched by psychologists-a list of them does read like a catalogue of his favourite gestures), but uses them carefully to evoke very subtle portrayal of emotion. I have my own theories about why ...

[@litravioda8299]

Leeeon! Leeeon!

[@na-kun2136]

But that's from Le paon(histories naturelles) not from here.

[@litravioda8299]

I know, my dear. Maybe I heard a passage that reminded me the yell of the paon, I do not remember, it was 3 years ago

[@javiervivanco919]

Toda palabra es vana

[@faith.sophie.beatrice]

Debussy also set three poems by Stéphane Mallarmé to music. Which composer's interpretation do you prefer? Vote in the replies! :-)

[@faith.sophie.beatrice]

Team Ravel

[@faith.sophie.beatrice]

Team Debussy

[@signodeinterrogacion8361]

Don't ask that in a video of Ravel's piece: That's home advantage :)!

[@catherineloriotahahah6614]

difficile à exécuter😮

[@MauriceRavel1875-1937]

Many thanks for your your intense labor to make these videos with Maurice Ravel's Music and musical Scores. We create a special playlist with your videos in our KZbin account kzbin.info/aero/PLdSSmXKAhbnr53GRekJIaV-bydv71Dlgz Les Amis de Maurice Ravel (association) : www.boleravel.fr

[@duqueadriano0081]

1:26

[@pilleater]

Big Mark Hollis influence

[@ottokarvonschnallenburg2572]

7:19

[@gabrielkaz5250]

4:46

[@white_cloth]

2:42

[@bbs8614]

7:10

[@UmVerissimo]

1:25 sinistro dps volta ao normal wtf kkkk

[@alexanderivanov5720]

I wish I could understand the text.

[@boubou6355]

If you are looking for a literal translation, here it is, however Mallarmé isn't really written to be "understood" in the pragmatic sense of the word: My soul toward your forehead, where dreams, ô calm sister, an autumn covered with freckles (which in french would literally be red splashes), and near the wandering sky of your angelic eye, rises like in a melancholic garden, loyal, a white water squirt, vanishes toward the azure The azure, tenderized, of October pale and pure, which states in great waters, it's languorous infinite. And lets on the dead water, where the feline agony wanders in the wind, and digs a cold furrow. Crawling, the yellow sun of a long beam.

[@boubou6355]

Placet futile: Princess ! Envying the destiny of Hebe, which hurts on this cup, with the kisses of your lips. I use my fire but my discreet rank is still the abbey, and won't figure naked on the Sevre (river). As I am not your frising Bichon, neither the pill, not the red, not the childish games And on me, I feel your closed stare falling, blond who's divine hairdresser are goldsmiths. Name us, you from who so much fruity lightness join into the lambs domesticated herds, eating the wishes, and screaming to the delirium Name us, so winged love of a fan, brushes me flute fingers, putting this fold to sleep. Princess name us, shepherd of your smiles

[@alexanderivanov5720]

@@boubou6355 The poetry along with this wonderful music is really touching. Thank you for sharing this! I can almost relate to the sensation expressed in the text.

[@sergheidanilov9061]

I can't understand Ravel's natural harmonics...There are the harmonic sound C (in alto), but I don't hear it...

[@Scrungyyy]

These pieces really remind me of elves for some reason.

[@olla-vogala4090]

You mean elves, the mythical creatures?

[@Scrungyyy]

Yes, are there other kinds of elves...?

[@oliviergosselin9114]

Im actually listening to this while playing WoW. But I was into Ravel's music before that.

[@Scrungyyy]

Haha, nice. Yeaaaah, man Ravel is great I love him.

Indeed, they do.

[@Nanananaheyhey1]

This must be difficult to sing

[@stephenpraytor3885]

les coiffeurs divins...

[@mouhdz2158]

زطلة رديئة وموسيقى رديئة وقصة حب فاشلة عقيمة ورديئة

[@na-kun2136]

Shut up if u dont understand this.

[@GUILLOM]

No