Ravel's music is so incredibly well-crafted that it's hard to find a fault in it. Tombeau de Couperin is the best example of this; a dated form of a baroque suite with so much musical innovatiion and pulled off so successfully that it feels entirely natural.
I don't like using the word "perfect", but Ravel's music is just that: perfection. Beautiful, full of complexity and precision. That second chord in Forlane is so unique. I am glad to see that I am not the only one perplexed by it.
I have never been too much of a fan of Ravel, but you really helped me appreciate the thought he puts into his unusual harmonies. This piece puts an image in my mind of some lad walking down the street - trying to look cool with shades, a trench coat, and a nonchalant strut - but is drawing the most of his attention by his constantly tripping. Even if that image is a little odd, the piece has character, for sure, and is far from boring. I appreciate your helping me see that so clearly.
PLEASE DO A PART 2!!! Thank you so much for making an analysis of this piece, which is one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve heard composed for the piano. Oh especially when it goes to the b section of the piece, sheer gorgeousness. The whole of Le Tombeau De Couperin is amazing, when I first heard it (the orchestral actually) around the age of 16 it sounded like music I’d loved my whole life, and I haven’t had that same phenomenon happen with many other pieces. Many thanks again, this video has earned you a subscriber! 🙂
This piece tickles my brain so much, I've listened to it dozens of times and still get surprised by where the harmonies go. The tonal center just keeps moving to different spots.
Discovered this channel and every video is so awesome! Please keep going with your analysis videos! They are profoundly inspiring! Hope this channel blows up!
I remember reading an explanation of the harmony of this piece in a Ravel biography, probably 40 years ago. This is the first time I have actually understood an analysis of this, although I've always found the piece fascinating.
I really liked the video! Very good explanation, I am studying Le Tombeau de Couperin for my last piano year, and i'd really love to watch the analysis of the whole Forlane (it is my favourite number of the piece). Thank you!
Breaking it down makes it look "easy" whereas there's no doubt that actually writing it is a whole different thing altogether and something I would indeed call genius.
If there is so often an appoggiatura, its not anymore an appoggiatura - its also part of the harmony! Its not anymore some little inflection but rather a vital part of the colours of the harmonic and should be also observed as part of the harmonic progression
I see what you mean - it's often a fine line to thread between calling notes appoggiaturas or added chord tones, it definitely could be rather subjective at times as to what we hear the function of the note at question. But in this case I'd say the voice leadings are clear enough to warrant a strong case for appoggiaturas instead of simply being a harmony note, and I also find it easier to understand as a result.
So glad you did this piece. I'm a graduated jazz musician making a move towards classical inspired composition and I tried to analyze this and I didn't exactly see the things you did. What resources do you recommend to gain this classical approach to harmony? Books etc. Thanks!
Could I also look at the first chord as a Chord V+ with a tonic superimposed on it and then have the next chord be like a V65#3+ to the chord IV as well?
Every subsequent time the first chord appears, it's clearly meant to be E minor. I find it hard to imagine the D sharp as a harmony note in any case. Following that, the passing chord becomes even clearer - just look at the second phrase and the voicings.
Ravel's music is so incredibly well-crafted that it's hard to find a fault in it. Tombeau de Couperin is the best example of this; a dated form of a baroque suite with so much musical innovatiion and pulled off so successfully that it feels entirely natural.
I don't like using the word "perfect", but Ravel's music is just that: perfection. Beautiful, full of complexity and precision.
That second chord in Forlane is so unique. I am glad to see that I am not the only one perplexed by it.
Fascinating. Yes, more Ravel analyses would be great
Great analysis of a very interesting piece !
Thank you so much!
I have never been too much of a fan of Ravel, but you really helped me appreciate the thought he puts into his unusual harmonies. This piece puts an image in my mind of some lad walking down the street - trying to look cool with shades, a trench coat, and a nonchalant strut - but is drawing the most of his attention by his constantly tripping. Even if that image is a little odd, the piece has character, for sure, and is far from boring. I appreciate your helping me see that so clearly.
PLEASE DO A PART 2!!! Thank you so much for making an analysis of this piece, which is one of the most beautiful pieces I’ve heard composed for the piano. Oh especially when it goes to the b section of the piece, sheer gorgeousness. The whole of Le Tombeau De Couperin is amazing, when I first heard it (the orchestral actually) around the age of 16 it sounded like music I’d loved my whole life, and I haven’t had that same phenomenon happen with many other pieces. Many thanks again, this video has earned you a subscriber! 🙂
Great video! Please do a part 2 on either another passage from this piece or any other piece that uses similar harmonic language like this!
Please do a part 2. Sharing on socials
This piece tickles my brain so much, I've listened to it dozens of times and still get surprised by where the harmonies go. The tonal center just keeps moving to different spots.
I’d enjoy a video on the rest of the Forlane. Interested in any Ravel. Good work.
Voice leading, voice leading, voice leading.
Oh this is wonderful work on harmonic analysis, thanks so much! Love this piece 🙏🏾
Discovered this channel and every video is so awesome! Please keep going with your analysis videos! They are profoundly inspiring! Hope this channel blows up!
So very kind of you! Thanks so much
Thank you for explaining so clearly and succinctly harmony that has long intrigued me.
You're very welcome! Thanks for the comment
I remember reading an explanation of the harmony of this piece in a Ravel biography, probably 40 years ago. This is the first time I have actually understood an analysis of this, although I've always found the piece fascinating.
absolutely incredible. thanks so much for this. part 2 please!!
Sure. I played this years ago and love it for its harmony, particularly some things that happen later. I'd love to see your take on the rest of it.
Fantastic explanation! Especially the banal versions followed by the brilliant versions...thank you so much.
Babe wake up, new Skylar Lim analysis just dropped
I've always loved this piece immensely but never really looked at the score and analyzed the harmony. Wicked!
Yes more please!
Have you read Carolyn Abbate’s article “Outside Ravel’s Tomb”? she has some really imaginative explanations of the harmony in this movement
I'll check it out thanks!
As a Ravel fan, this analysis is very relevant whether in terms of the richness of harmonies or musical phrases 🤍🤍🤍
Thank you!
Awesome analysis
I see Ravel, I click
Really good explanation!
Thank you !
I really liked the video! Very good explanation, I am studying Le Tombeau de Couperin for my last piano year, and i'd really love to watch the analysis of the whole Forlane (it is my favourite number of the piece). Thank you!
To me this is the bitterness and irony of losing friends and colleagues in the war.
UnRavelling the mysteries of harmony in Ravel music 😅
Seeing that the genius behind these pieces turns out to just be decorations on existing structures makes me feel a numb angst.
Breaking it down makes it look "easy" whereas there's no doubt that actually writing it is a whole different thing altogether and something I would indeed call genius.
Been waiting for a look at this for years. Thank you!!
Any chance to review The 2nd movement of Walton 1?
Not too familiar but I'll check it out!
If there is so often an appoggiatura, its not anymore an appoggiatura - its also part of the harmony! Its not anymore some little inflection but rather a vital part of the colours of the harmonic and should be also observed as part of the harmonic progression
I see what you mean - it's often a fine line to thread between calling notes appoggiaturas or added chord tones, it definitely could be rather subjective at times as to what we hear the function of the note at question. But in this case I'd say the voice leadings are clear enough to warrant a strong case for appoggiaturas instead of simply being a harmony note, and I also find it easier to understand as a result.
great video
Thank you!
So glad you did this piece. I'm a graduated jazz musician making a move towards classical inspired composition and I tried to analyze this and I didn't exactly see the things you did. What resources do you recommend to gain this classical approach to harmony? Books etc. Thanks!
The Octatonic System of Tonal Organisation, perhaps?
Beautiful analysis! Can someone explain to me, what a "Escape tone" is?
Have a great time! ;)
part 2!
Could I also look at the first chord as a Chord V+ with a tonic superimposed on it and then have the next chord be like a V65#3+ to the chord IV as well?
Every subsequent time the first chord appears, it's clearly meant to be E minor. I find it hard to imagine the D sharp as a harmony note in any case. Following that, the passing chord becomes even clearer - just look at the second phrase and the voicings.
That makes sense, I was a bit thrown off with the use of a second inversion at first
Moreee
What do you think of Scriabin?
Incredible visionary, I love seeing the gradual evolution of his harmonic language
👍
What does Forlane mean?
*Acciaccatura (sp) /a *cha* …/ , /a chak ka TOO ra/
Appoggiatura /ap poj ja TOO ra/
casella next time