Ravel: Mother Goose Suite (Piano Duet Version)

Ma Mere L'Oye, or Mother Goose, by Maurice Ravel is one of my favorite pieces ever! I fell in love with the orchestral version first, and quickly discovered the original piano duet version! I like the orchestrated version just a little bit better, with it's lovely and enchanting colors, but the piano duet has such an intimate charm- just two people sitting at a piano, weaving stories.

Ravel wrote this duet for two students of his, Mimi and Jean Godebski, who's parents were good friends of the composer. Ravel was very devoted to the children, and wanted them to give the world premier of the piece, but they were too young, so another pair of children gave the premier. Ravel's composition style is usually densely layered and complex, but this duet is strikingly simple.

There are five movements, the pattern going Slow, Moderate, Fast, Moderate, Slow. I think this is an interesting way to do it, because most multi movement compositions follow a different pattern, like the ever popular First 1st movement and Slow 2nd movement. All of the movements except for the last one follow the story of a specific fairy tale. The last movement, titled 'The Fairy Garden' captures the spirit of enchantment that Ravel must've felt about these stories.

1. Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty
This movement is slow and short, and is a melancholy little dance. It has various woodwind solos in the orchestral version, and ends very softly, like the kingdom falling asleep after the princess is cursed. It is crucial to get the yearning, gentle nature of this first movement.
2. Little Tom Thumb
'Little Tom Thumb' wanders aimlessly through many different time signatures, much like the lost little adventurer, trying to find his way out of the forest. He leaves behind little breadcrumbs for himself so he can find his way home, but nasty birds snatch them up! These birds are represented by the violin, piccolo, and flute, in the orchestral version. Birds usually sound so sweet and pretty in music, but it is important to make them sound as mean as possible here. The main theme is very warm and lovely, and is superimposed over roaming, uncertain scales.
3. Laidronette, Empress of the Pagodas
This is my favorite movement! It is a sweet little dance, with the temp marking 'mouvement de marche' so the tempo should be energetic and fairly quick. In the orchestral version, the sweet main theme is first stated on the piccolo! This is the most challenging movement, with lots of grace notes and rapid 16th note figures! It is very fun and charming, and should give you and your partner's fingers a workout!
4. Conversations of Beauty and the Beast
Here, a kind and mellow waltz contrasts with the bass range of the piano. First we hear Beauty speak, and then the Beast! It's important to capture their characters well, and also to make the piece really sound like a conversation.
5. The Fairy Garden
This is a beautiful finish to the piano suite. This movement is very slow, and features some of the most relaxing and beautiful melodies I've ever heard. It really captures the beauty and wonder that stories bring us when we're kids. The chord structure is beautiful in this, but watch out for those tricky glissandos at the end!!