Boléro, M.81

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Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major is a vibrant and dynamic work, composed between 1929 and 1931, and it was his penultimate composition. It reflects his love for jazz and Spanish music, both of which deeply influenced his style at the time.

The concerto was written in the aftermath of Ravel’s trip to the United States, where he was introduced to jazz—an influence that is particularly evident in the rhythmically energetic first movement. Ravel originally intended to perform the concerto himself, but health issues prevented him from doing so. Instead, the premiere in 1932 was given by Marguerite Long, with Ravel conducting.

The concerto is widely admired for its rich orchestration, clarity of form, and the contrast between its lively outer movements and the lyrical beauty of the central Adagio assai. The opening Allegramente bursts with rhythmic complexity, jazzy harmonies, and colourful orchestration, while the slow second movement offers a moment of deep introspection.

The serene piano melody, with its long, flowing phrases, stands in stark contrast to the lively energy surrounding it. The finale Presto brings the concerto to a thrilling and playful conclusion, showcasing Ravel’s characteristic wit and virtuosity. This concerto embodies Ravel's brilliance in blending different musical traditions into a coherent and compelling work, making it a cornerstone of 20th-century piano concertos.

Anecdote

An interesting anecdote about Ravel’s Piano Concerto in G major involves the notoriously difficult second movement, Adagio assai. The long, flowing piano melody sounds effortless, but Ravel himself admitted it took him countless attempts to get it just right. He said he wrote the opening theme "measure by measure, struggling every step of the way."

Despite the challenges he faced in composing it, the result is a passage of haunting beauty that feels entirely organic and natural, demonstrating Ravel's perfectionism and genius.
Ravel and Long created the first recording of the concerto, and made a concert tour through 16 European cities with the concerto, after which they performed it in Boston and Philadelphia.