# Maurice Ravel

> French composer (1875–1937)

**Wikidata**: [Q1178](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1178)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maurice_Ravel)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/maurice-ravel

## Summary
Maurice Ravel was a French composer, pianist, and conductor active in the late 19th and early 20th centuries (1875–1937). He is best known for his musical compositions, including the orchestral piece *Boléro* and the ballet *Daphnis et Chloé*, and is associated with the impressionism in music movement.

## Biography
- **Born:** March 7, 1875
- **Nationality:** French
- **Education:** Not specified in source material
- **Known for:** Composing orchestral and piano works such as *Boléro*, *Daphnis et Chloé*, and *Gaspard de la nuit*; membership in the artistic group Les Apaches.
- **Employer(s):** Not specified in source material
- **Field(s):** Classical music, impressionism in music, opera

## Contributions
- **Boléro (1928):** Composed this iconic orchestral composition.
- **Daphnis et Chloé (1912):** Created the ballet *Daphnis et Chloé*.
- **Gaspard de la nuit (1908):** Authored the suite for piano titled *Gaspard de la nuit*.
- **Miroirs (1905):** Composed the musical work *Miroirs* for piano.
- **Piano Concerto (1931):** Composed a *Piano Concerto*.
- **Les Apaches:** Was a member of this group of musicians, writers, and artists which formed around 1900 in Paris, France.
- **Société musicale indépendante:** Held membership in this former French music society.

## FAQs
**What are Maurice Ravel's most famous compositions?**
Ravel is renowned for *Boléro* (1928), *Daphnis et Chloé* (1912), *Gaspard de la nuit* (1908), *Miroirs* (1905), and his *Piano Concerto* (1931).

**What awards did Maurice Ravel receive?**
He received the Prix de Rome, was named a Knight of the Legion of Honour, was inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame, and became an Honorary Member of the International Society for Contemporary Music.

**What musical groups was Maurice Ravel associated with?**
He was a member of *Les Apaches*, a group of artists and musicians formed around 1900 in Paris, and the *Société musicale indépendante*.

**What geographic or celestial features are named after Maurice Ravel?**
Ravel Peak in Antarctica, the main belt asteroid 4727 Ravel, and a crater on Mercury named Ravel are all named in his honor.

**What musical genres is Maurice Ravel connected to?**
His work is associated with classical music, impressionism in music, and opera.

## Why They Matter
Maurice Ravel holds a significant place in the history of Western classical music, particularly within the impressionist movement. His works, such as *Boléro* and *Daphnis et Chloé*, remain staples in the orchestral repertoire, celebrated for their orchestration and harmonic innovation. His influence is recognized by major institutions, evidenced by his receipt of the Prix de Rome and the Legion of Honour, as well as the posthumous induction of his recordings into the Grammy Hall of Fame. Beyond music, his legacy is immortalized in the naming of a crater on Mercury, an Antarctic peak, and an asteroid, reflecting a global cultural impact that transcends his lifetime.

## Notable For
- Composing the orchestral work *Boléro* in 1928.
- Creating the ballet *Daphnis et Chloé* in 1912.
- Writing the piano suite *Gaspard de la nuit* in 1908.
- Composing *Miroirs* for piano in 1905.
- Producing a *Piano Concerto* in 1931.
- Membership in the Parisian artistic group *Les Apaches*.
- Receiving the Prix de Rome scholarship.
- Being appointed a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
- Induction into the Grammy Hall of Fame.
- Honorary membership in the International Society for Contemporary Music.
- Having a crater on Mercury, an asteroid (4727 Ravel), and a peak in Antarctica named after him.

## Body

### Identity and Life
Joseph Maurice Ravel was a French composer, pianist, and conductor born on March 7, 1875. He died on December 28, 1937. As a French citizen, he was part of the cultural landscape of France, a Western European country with a rich artistic history. Ravel's professional work period began in 1888. He is classified under the broader instance of a human and is specifically known for his contributions to the arts.

### Musical Compositions
Ravel's body of work spans several decades and includes some of the most recognized pieces in the classical music canon. His early work includes *Miroirs* (1905), a composition for piano, and *Gaspard de la nuit* (1908), a suite for piano. In 1912, he composed *Daphnis et Chloé*, a ballet that is considered one of his major achievements. Perhaps his most famous work, *Boléro*, an orchestral composition, was completed in 1928. Later in his career, in 1931, he composed a *Piano Concerto*. His work also touches upon the genre of opera.

### Affiliations and Organizations
Throughout his career, Ravel was associated with various musical and artistic organizations. He was a member of *Les Apaches*, a group formed around 1900 in Paris that included musicians, writers, and artists. He was also a member of the *Société musicale indépendante*, a former French music society. Additionally, he is connected to the Royal Swedish Academy of Music.

### Awards and Recognition
Ravel received numerous accolades during his life and posthumously. He was a recipient of the Prix de Rome, a prestigious French scholarship for arts students. He was honored as a Knight of the Legion of Honour, the first rank of the French Legion of Honour. His recordings have been recognized for their lasting significance, leading to his inclusion in the Grammy Hall of Fame. He was also named an Honorary Member of the International Society for Contemporary Music.

### Legacy and Named Entities
Ravel's influence extends beyond music into geography and astronomy. Several physical features and celestial bodies bear his name. Ravel Peak is a peak located in Antarctica. The main belt asteroid 4727 Ravel is named after him, as is a crater on the planet Mercury simply designated as Ravel. These naming conventions highlight his enduring status as a significant figure in global culture.

## References

1. EB-12 / Ravel, Maurice
2. Source
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34. [Source](https://golden.com/wiki/Maurice_Ravel-EKG5P)
35. [Source](https://doi.org/10.1093/gmo/9781561592630.article.52145)
36. performing-arts.ch