19th Annual Student Research Conference
Fine Arts
Toccata from Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin
Daniel J. Kubus♦
Dr. Janice Saffir, Faculty Mentor
Maurice Ravel's Le Tombeau de Couperin is a work for solo piano in six movements. Ravel stated that the piece is not solely a tribute to the French Baroque composer François Couperin, but to eighteenth-century French music in general. However, each movement is also a tribute to a specific individual who died in World War I. The toccata, the sixth movement of the piece, is dedicated to Cpt. Joseph de Marliave, who was also a musicologist. The toccata is technically difficult with a clear melody. The chief objective is to deftly execute the repeated notes in alternating hands while phrasing the proper melody line. The difficulties in the toccata are on the same level of virtuosity as Jeux d'Eau.
Keywords: Ravel, Tombeau de Couperin, Joseph de Marliave, World War I, sixth movement, toccata, tribute
Topic(s):Music
Presentation Type: Performance Art
Session: 3-2
Location: OP 1393, Performance Hall
Time: 8:30