The Prelude from Suite for solo Piano Le Tombeau de Couperin by Maurice Ravel: compositional and interpretive considerations

Abstract

This article, part of a doctoral research conducted at the Department of Music of the ECA/USP/FAPESP aims to elucidate compositional and technical procedures in the Prelude from the suite Le Tombeau de Couperin (1914-1917) by french composer Maurice Ravel. Such procedures are traced back to French barroque composer Francois Couperin (1668-1733) harpsichord pieces, and are translated by Ravel to the modern piano. Thus, by studying the works for harpsichord by Couperin it was possible to see a kind of fusion of two languages and two instrumental techniques apart in time. This fusion of languages poses several interpretive questions.