Pavane for a dead princess by Ravel

Context

A pavane is a slow stately 16th century dance. This is a haunting piece in rondo form, originally composed for piano solo by the French composer, Maurice Ravel.

Listen For

  • Use of rubato makes the music expressive and fluid. ‘Rubato’ literally means ‘robbed of time’ and it directs the performer to be flexible with the tempo.
  • Listen to the beautiful French horn melody at the beginning
  • The slow tempo and long note values of the melody give the music a majestic, regal feel.
  • At 00:40 listen out for the harp chord, adding enchantment to the atmosphere.
  • At 01:10 a new theme for oboe and bassoon starts before the original theme re-enters.

Questions To Consider

As you continue listening, can you hear where the original theme comes back and identify the instrument playing it?