Maurice Ravel – Bolero arr. Diane Wittry

2222-4331      Timp+2 (opt. Harp, opt. Celeste)       Strings (8 minutes)

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Bolero – Ravel (arrangement)  8 minutes

Bolero, the famous melody by Ravel, is a wonderful introduction to the instruments of the orchestra as each instrument is introduced with its solo melody.  This arrangement stays true to all of Ravel’s original musical ideas, but provides a shorter version with a smaller instrumentation, that can be used on educational concerts for children or as a encore for your concert programs.

The history of Bolero began when Ravel decided to compose a piece based on the bolero, a Spanish dance musical form. While on vacation at, Ravel went to the piano and played a melody with one finger to his friend Gustave Samazeuilh, saying, “Don’t you think this theme has an insistent quality? I’m going to try and repeat it a number of times without any development, gradually increasing the orchestra as best I can.”

The composition was a sensational success when it premiered at the Paris Opéra on 22 November 1928, with choreography by Bronislava Nijinska and designs and scenario by Alexandre Benois. The orchestra of the Opéra was conducted by Walther Straram. Originally, Ernest Ansermet had been engaged to conduct the entire ballet season, but the musicians refused to play under him. A scenario by Rubinstein and Nijinska was printed in the program for the premiere.

More information on Bolero can be found on Wikipedia here.