Bolero - The Life of Maurice Ravel

by Madeleine Goss

A charming biography of Maurice Ravel, showing the relationships and events that shaped the music of France's most successful composer. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Genres: Music

340 pages, Paperback

First published March 15, 2007

About the author

1892-1960

Reviews

[Larry · Rating 4 out of 5]

In reading this one must take into account it was written and published less than 18 months after the passing of Maurice Ravel accordingly it is most admirable in its construction and commentary on his life. Having said that one must be aware that this is not a "biography" in the true sense of the word. Ms. Goss has based a good deal of her commentary using Ravel's key compositions as events around which she ties in aspects of his life and times. This is a great idea considering as I said already hers was the first biography of the composer. She stays well within the lines of facts and commentary from friends, colleagues and family (her detailed listings of his works chronologically is one of the best I have seen). This is an "amuse-bouche" as one seeks a biography that provides more of what I seek; that is who was Maurice Ravel? and what made him the magical composer that he was? Now my search expands, not for salacious gossip (yes, I speak of the theorems on his sexuality that inhabit at least one recent bio), but for knowledge of this true genius.