Mother Goose Suite

Experience a magical world of stories with Maurice Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite.

The power of music brings this enchanting storybook to life in five movements, each miniature a musical representation of childlike wonder. Ravel showcases the stories of Sleeping Beauty, Tom Thumb, Laidronette, Empress of the Pagodas and Beauty and the Beast, and concludes his suite with a musical depiction of a Fairy Garden. This suite is a prime example of the way art inspires art, as Ravel wove the threads of these well-known tales into a children’s piano duet before orchestrating the work for chamber orchestra and then finally expanding it into a ballet.

Movement One, “Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty”

The first movement, “Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty,” is slow, a procession of mourning for Sleeping Beauty. The original piano version was a simple piece, but in the orchestral version, Ravel uses this simplicity to create a very delicate and moving scene. Ravel casts a musical spell that mirrors the enchanting tale of a slumbering princess, but with a musical cliffhanger - the movement ends before Sleeping Beauty wakes.

The world of fairy tales and music can come together to create something truly special. As you listen to Ravel's Mother Goose Suite, let your imagination soar and immerse your senses in beautiful musical stories that enchant and captivate.

Please note: Portions of this presentation were filmed during the COVID-19 pandemic. Safety protocols were in place at the time.

Production of the New Jersey Symphony’s digital performances is made possible by the Digital Production and Programming Fund with major support from Ellen and Phil Neches.