“The only love affair I have ever had was with music.”
— Maurice Ravel.
Ahh... Maurice Ravel! Pretend I said that in a thick, heavy French accent:)
Composer extraordinaire, leading movers of the impressionist style of music(although much like Debussy, he hated that tittle), not a good enough pianist(much like myself), and father of all things "holy shit this music is unbelievably beautiful!"
Yes... What's not to love about the French Composer? I mean with works as astonishingly breath taking as his Piano Concerto in G, Daphnis et Chloé, Bolero, Pavane for a dead princess and of course, what is coincidentally the object of this post - his String quartet in F Major — it's clear to see that there is an undeniable sense of greatness and immortality with this man.
Completed April 1903 and comprised of exactly 4 movements, the String quartet in F Major is an absolutely profound and breathtaking piece. However, it's the story behind this stunning piece of music, I feel is much more enlightening and... inspiring!
Here, have a listen to what I believe is the best interpretation of this piece.
It's true that the greatest of composers have never been ones inclined to follow the classic, normal conventions of academia. Certainly, school does hold a strong place in fine-tuning the craft of composition (for example Liszt studied with Salieri) but ultimately, the greatest of composers are the ones whom have sort far beyond the vast mundane reaches of education. And just like Maurice Ravel, these composers have been what you may call visionaries — pioneers in their field — benefiting the present world and it's nearest future at large.
As a young man studying composition with the great composer Gabriel Fauré in Paris at the time, Ravel had always been obsessed with one thing: to perfect his craft of composition.
In his words:
My objective, is technical perfection!
And consequentially, after putting in years and years of hard work mastering the craft, he was at the standard very much close to his goal. It was around this time I believe, he completed his String quartet.
It is to be noted that even after several rejections and expulsions(honestly most of them were pretty unfair really) from numerous conservatories and competitions around the country, Ravel was still steadfast in wanting to thrive as a composer. Sadly, it was due to his music being way too far ahead of his generation, that he suffered a great deal as a composer.
And the String quartet in F Major, is just one of the many examples.
When it was submitted to the both the Prix de Rome and the Conservatoire de Paris, it was ultimately rejected. LoL, even his own teacher whom he had dedicated the piece to, spoke of it remarking “stunted, badly balanced, in fact a failure!"
These rejections and disappointments obviously took a toll on the composer. Infact, he would've completed terminated the quartet if it wasn't for the encouragement of his longtime admire and rival — Claude Debussy.
Upon listening to the quartet, Debussy quickly wrote to Ravel:
“In the name of the gods of music and in my own, do not touch a single note you have written in your Quartet!"
Honestly, I can't imagine anyone listening to something as beautiful as that quartet and calling it a failure! I mean, I guess it just goes to show how shocking and revolutionary impressionism must've been for the older generations.
Regardless, it is without a doubt that the music of Maurice Ravel — especially the String quartet — is celebrated today as one of the most profound, technical, creative, and BREATHTAKING pieces of music of all time.
Illustration by me
You know, there are a couple things to learn from that little ordeal in Ravel's life.
Never give up: Much like Ravel who kept on being persistent with his music despite the criticisms and rejections that followed, he kept on striving, trying his best not to give up. Reach for the stars I say! And high five the goddamn moon!
Think creatively and innovatively: Always aim to be a visionary, an outstanding person of profound originality! There's a reason Ravel's music is celebrated more often today than the music of his teacher, Gabriel Fauré. (LoL, I bet you don't even know who that guy is!)
It's important to have people around who support your dreams: Get yourself a friend/role model/rival like Debussy whom will always support and push you further towards your dreams.
Don't be afraid to be an outcast, think outside the box: No great person has ever been the normal guy. Infact, the greatest of men and women in history have always been idealistic weirdos who thought outside the box!
Well, that's all for now. Hopefully this little story about Ravel and his music inspired or at least, enlightened you in some way.
Till we meet again, when i write about another composer's inspiring life and endeavors.
I plan to make this a series hehe...
THANKS FOR READING AND KEEP EXPLORING!