Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was a paramount French composer who had an incredible ability to write works for orchestra and solo piano with equal aptitude. Brought up in Paris, he studied at the Conservatoire from 1889-'95, when he met two heroes, Chabrier and Satie. As a young man, his piano pieces and songs established his precise, imitative styles and, though he failed to win the Prix de Rome in five consecutive attempts, he left the Conservatoire to produce defining works of French impressionism, neo-classicism, and highly imaginative music that explored the dangers and delights of far-flung corners of the globe. After a long illness he died in Paris in 1937.