RAVEL, MAURICE. (1875-1937). French composer; creator of masterpieces such as Daphnis et Chloe, Gaspard de la nuit and Bolero. ALS. (“Maurice Ravel”). 2pp. Oblong 12mo. Montfort l’Amaury, January 20, 1927. On the recto and verso of his monogrammed correspondence card. To a friend. In French with translation.

“...I do think, dear friend, that you must have the score! It is very different from the piano transcription. Please stop by Durand’s, and ask for it*.

I am going to prepare my invitation list; about how many may I ask you, without being indiscreet?

I no longer remember the time of the 2nd rehearsal (the one of Tuesday). If you could send me a note, you would oblige me.

See you Monday. Affectionately to all… *I believe Grey has one.”

Although born and raised in France, Ravel was of Swiss and Basque descent and his heritage and travels to Spain influenced two of his most famous works, Rapsodie espagnole and Boléro. In 1905, Ravel completed his piano suite, Miroirs which introduced the use of the repeated note, a hallmark of Ravel’s pioneering style. In 1906, he orchestrated the third movement of the piano suite, Une Barque sur l’océan, but was unhappy with it and forbade its publication. He revisited it in 1926, revising the orchestration of the movement, which is now lost and possibly the work being referred to in our letter. Our letter also mentions Ravel’s French publisher Durand, who had been his publisher since 1905.

In excellent condition.