Skip to content
    skip to navigation

    Classic FM

    Listen

    On Air Now

    Bill Overton 1am - 4am

    Bill Overton

    Now Playing

    Gladiator - Earth Hans Zimmer Download 'Gladiator - Earth' on iTunes

    Gladiator - Earth artwork
    • Playlist
    • Schedule
    • Home
    • Radio
    • News
    • Discover Music
    • Composers
    • Artists
    • Win
    • Store
    • Charity
    • Podcasts
    • Events
    • Dating
    • Follow us on:
      Follow Classic FM on Facebook
      Follow Classic FM on Instagram
      Follow Classic FM on Youtube

    Composers

    Ravel

    • Ravel Home
    • Music
    • Album reviews
    • Pictures
    • Guides
    • More Composers

    Ravel and the Great War

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

    tombeau couperin ravel composer

    11. Ravel and the Great War

    Ravel spent World War I as a truck driver stationed at the Verdun front. The war caused him such deep distress that a number of important projects never came to fruition. He did manage however to complete Le Tombeau de Couperin, with each movement dedicated to a friend who died in the war.

    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

    RAYE’s classical background

    Is RAYE classically trained? Footage shows star singer playing cello with former classmate

    Discover Music

    Hans Zimmer to compose score for HBO’s new Harry Potter series

    Hans Zimmer to compose original score for HBO’s new Harry Potter series

    Zimmer

    Is Jessie Buckley classically trained?

    Did you know ‘Hamnet’ star Jessie Buckley studied piano, clarinet, saxophone, harp and singing?

    Discover Music

    Anna Lapwood plays newly restored Britton organ

    Restored 5,000-pipe organ finally sounds again at sell-out Anna Lapwood concert

    Ludwig Göransson won the Best Original Score Golden Globe for 'Sinners'

    Outrage as ‘Best Original Score’ award cut from Golden Globes televised broadcast

    Hamnet (2026) starring Jessie Buckley

    Max Richter’s ‘Hamnet’ soundtrack leaves fans in tears after Jessie Buckley scene

    Richter

    Washington National Opera leaves Kennedy Center

    Washington National Opera ends 55‑year residency at the Trump Kennedy Center, citing financial issues

    Listen to the Classic FM Hall of Fame countdown live, 9am-9pm across the Easter weekend.

    Vote for your favourite classical music in the Classic FM Hall of Fame 2026

    Classic FM Hall of Fame

    David Bowie Life on Mars

    David Bowie’s isolated vocal from ‘Life On Mars’ reveals the true power of his tenor range

    Discover Music

    Footage resurfaces of Paul Mescal singing in school production of ‘Phantom of the Opera’

    Paul Mescal stars in school production of ‘Phantom of the Opera’ in unearthed footage

    Lloyd Webber

    Back to top

    Also on Classic FM

    • Listen to Global Player
    • Classic FM Breakfast with Dan Walker
    • John Williams
    • Alexander Armstrong on Classic FM
    • Quizzes
    • Leonard Bernstein
    • Mozart
    • Debussy
    • Music theory
    • Instruments
    • Classic FM Live
    • Brahms
    • Vivaldi
    • Bach
    • Tchaikovsky
    • Chopin
    • Andrea Bocelli
    • Florence Price
    • Beethoven
    • Best classical music
    • Classic FM Requests
    • Best pianists
    • Harry Potter music
    • Star Wars soundtrack
    • Composer or pasta
    • Music for Studying
    • Best violinists
    • Classical music tearjerkers
    • Relaxing classical

    Useful Links

    • Contact Us
    • Help
    • How To Listen
    • About Classic FM
    • Company Details
    • Cookies
    • Privacy
    • Terms & Conditions
    • Advertise
    • Global Careers

    Download the app

    Get it on the app store Get it on Google Play

    Follow Us

    Follow Classic FM on Facebook
    Follow Classic FM on Instagram
    Follow Classic FM on Youtube
    © Global 2026
    30 Leicester Square, London, WC2H 7LA
    Privacy Manager