The virtuoso violin works of Maurice Ravel: An analysis of structural, technical and interpretive features

This project is directed to the performing violinist The works which are analyzed in this smdy represent Ravel's major violin compositions. They include the Sonatepour Violon et Violoncelle (1920-22), tiie Sonatepour Violon et Piano (1923-27), and Tzigane (1924). In these tiu-ec works, Ravel's treatment of tiie violin varies according to the style of the piece and the particular ensemble for which he is composing. However, in each case, the writing for the violin is soloistic, requiring virmosic technique of the performer. This smdy examines certain relevant aspects of the music which wiU ultimately guide the violinist to a higher level of technical and artistic performance of these works.

A biographical sketch and an overview of general style characteristics provide the reader with a broad personal, historical, and styhstic perspective of the composer and his works. Subsequentiy, each of the works is analyzed from a structural and styhstic perspective as weU as from a performance perspective. The performer will gain insights as to the basic formal stmcture of each work, the technical requirements represented, solutions to specific technical problems, and interpretive approaches.