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    Composers

    Ravel

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    An inventive father

    This image appears in the gallery:
    Ravel: 15 facts about the great composer

    Joseph Ravel composer father

    2. An inventive father

    Ravel’s father Joseph was an inventor, responsible for a notorious ‘Whirlwind of Death’ circus machine. Joseph took his sons to factories to see the latest machinery and instilled in them a love of music.

    1. Image 1: Maurice Ravel composer
    2. Image 2: Joseph Ravel composer father
    3. Image 3: Erik Satie composer
    4. Image 4: Maurice Ravel
    5. Image 5: Gabriel Faure
    6. Image 6: Claude Debussy
    7. Image 7: Sheherezade
    8. Image 8: Mussorgsky Pictures Exhibition Ravel Kiev
    9. Image 9: Nijinsky Ravel
    10. Image 10: Velazquez 15 images

    See the full gallery: Ravel: 15 facts about the great composer

    Ravel features

    See more Ravel features

    What’s the story behind Ravel’s ‘Boléro’, and why is it so controversial?

    What’s the story behind Ravel’s ‘Boléro’, and why is it so controversial?

    Maurice Ravel is one of the greatest French composers who ever lived.

    The 10 best pieces of music by Ravel

    Hayato Sumino plays Bolero on two pianos.

    Viral virtuoso Hayato Sumino plays Boléro on two pianos

    Mozart and Elgar both loved their pets.

    8 classical composers who absolutely adored their pets

    Discover Music

    Harpist Catrin Finch and Debussy

    10 best pieces ever written for the harp

    Discover Music

    Ravel was the only composer of ‘Boléro’, court rules after six-year co-writer dispute

    Ravel was the only composer of ‘Boléro’, court rules after six-year co-writer dispute

    How Kris Bowers created ‘the Bridgerton sound’ – from hip-hop beats to Ravel inspiration

    How Kris Bowers created ‘the Bridgerton sound’ – from hip-hop beats to Ravel inspiration

    Discover Music

    When Torvill and Dean won gold with timeless ‘Boléro’ routine at 1984 Sarajevo Winter Olympics

    Remembering Torvill and Dean’s timeless ‘Boléro’ figure-skating routine at the 1984 Winter Olympics

    Latest on Classic FM

    Curious baby boy playing toy piano at home

    Does classical music really make babies smarter?

    Discover Music

    Unseen footage reveals Dick van Dyke singing ‘Mary Poppins’ with THE Richard Sherman on piano

    Unseen footage reveals Dick van Dyke singing ‘Mary Poppins’ with THE Richard Sherman on piano

    Discover Music

    Austrian artist JJ won the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest with his song, "Wasted Love."

    Austrian Eurovision winner JJ is a countertenor who sang with the Vienna Opera

    Who is Anna Lapwood? The trailblazing organist and conductor’s age, biography and performances

    Who is Anna Lapwood? The trailblazing organist and conductor’s age, biography and performances

    Netflix releases series inspired by Vivaldi’s ‘Four Seasons’

    What classical music is featured in Netflix’s The Four Seasons, and how is it inspired by Vivaldi’s masterpiece?

    Vivaldi

    Young audience members can enjoy classical concerts at a low price across the UK

    15 cheap classical music concert ticket schemes for young audiences

    Discover Music

    ‘Sinners’ composer Ludwig Göransson breaks down his movie soundtrack

    ‘Sinners’ composer Ludwig Göransson breaks down his movie soundtrack

    Discover Music

    87-year-old pianist moves judges with original composition

    87-year-old veteran moves ‘The Piano’ judges to tears with original composition

    Videos

    10 of the best pieces of classical music written in the 20th century

    10 incredible 20th-century classical works that would change music forever

    Discover Music

    Wales v Australia

    Welsh national anthem: what are the English and Welsh lyrics to ‘Land Of My Fathers’?

    Discover Music

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