French composer Maurice Ravel was born on this day in 1875. To mark the occasion, here are three absorbing samples of his work:
- French choir Accentus (we meet music director Laurence Equilbey at the start) performing the Pavane of Sleeping Beauty, from the Mother Goose suite:
- The great Géard Souzay sings Don Quichotte à Dulcinée, the last three songs Ravel wrote. If his interpretation seems a bit understated, close your eyes and listen again:
- Angela Hewitt playing Le Tombeau de Couperin at Koerner Hall, courtesy of the CBC:
John Terauds