CXXXII. RAVEL, Maurice: Ma mère l'oye

CXXXII. RAVEL, Maurice (1875-1937)

Ma Mère l'Oye (Mother Goose) (1910-11)
1. Prélude
2. Danse du rouet et scène (Spinning wheel dance and scene)
3. Pavane de la belle au bois dormant (Sleeping Beauty pavane)
4. Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête (Dialogues of the Beauty and the Beast)
5. Petit Poucet (Hop-o'-my-thumb)
6. Laideronnette, impératrice des pagodes (Empress of the Pagodas)
7. Apothéose: le jardin féerique (Fairy Garden)
NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchester
Esa-Pekka Salonen, cond.
(34:12)

Originally a piano duet (written for two kids, aged 6 and 7!), Ravel -- the master orchestrator -- made a symphonic version ... he expanded it into an 11-movement ballet.

This is the "suite" version of seven movements:

A calm, peaceful first few bars, then the unbalanced twittering of the high winds against a divisi string section.

1. Prélude

2. Danse du rouet et scène

Chromatic spinning:

3. Pavane de la belle au bois dormant

Notice how Ravel textures the orchestration of this beautiful A Minor lento with delicate touches like the harmonics in the harp and basses!

4. Les entretiens de la Belle et de la Bête

Written introduction:

"When I think of your good heart, you do not seem so ugly."
"Oh, I should say so! I have a good heart, but I am a monster."
"There are many men who are more monstrous than you."
"If I were witty I would pay you a great compliment to thank you, but I am only a beast."
"Beauty, would you like to be my wife?"
"No, Beast!"

"I die happy because I have the pleasure of seeing you once again."
"No, my dear Beast, you shall not die. You shall live to become my husband."

... The Beast had disappeared, and she beheld at her feet a prince more handsome than Amor, who was thanking her for having lifted his spell. (Mme Leprince de Beaumont)

A soft, gorgeous slow waltz:

5. Petit Poucet

Written introduction:

"He thought he would be able to find the path easily by means of the bread he had strewn wherever he had walked. But he was quite surprised when he was unable to find a single crumb; the birds had come and eaten them all." (Charles Perrault)

6. Laideronnette, impératrice des pagodes

Written introduction:

"She undressed and got into the bath. Immediately the toy mandarins and mandarinesses began to sing and to play instruments. Some had theorbos made from walnut shells, some had viols made from almond shells; for the instruments had to be of a size appropriate to their own." (Mme d'Aulnoy, Serptentin Vert)

Pentatonic mode for the Chinese references:

7. Apothéose: le jardin féerique

Some of the most magical Ravel ever. The part-writing is exquisite; the music builds and builds towards a magnificent climax ...