Friends Remembered: Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin

Ravel’s Le tombeau de Couperin is less about the French Baroque composer Couperin and more a tribute to Ravel’s friends and their involvement in World War I. An English translation might read “A memorial (piece) to Couperin” as a tombeau is a piece that honors a beloved who has passed away.

Ravel spent much time during World War I tending to the wounded. It was during those gruesome years, between 1914 and 1917, that Ravel composed this masterpiece memorial for solo piano. Each movement is dedicated to a friend he lost in the war. Ravel orchestrated four of the movements in 1919—it is this orchestral version that the NJSO performs Feb 28–Mar 3.

Celebrating the 100-year anniversary of Ravel’s orchestration, and honoring November 2018’s 100-year anniversary of the end of World War I, we’ve put together a list of those memorialized in each movement of this piece.

“Prélude”—In Memory of Lieutenant Jacques Charlot

Jacques Charlot was a fellow pianist and friend of Ravel. He wrote piano arrangements of some of Ravel’s works. He was the cousin and godson of the famous music publisher Jacques Durand, a label that still exists today. He died on March 3, 1915. His spirit is memorialized in this effervescent opening, which is now a classic.

“Forlane”—In Memory of Lieutenant Gabriel Deluc

At the start of the First World War, Deluc, similar to Ravel, served as a nurse. He was an accomplished painter, active through his promotion to second lieutenant in the summer of 1916. He was killed on September 15, 1916. This “Forlane” is quite quirky; it is believed to be the first movement Ravel planned.

“Menuet”—In Memory of Jean Dreyfus

Ravel was close to Jean Dreyfus and the Dreyfus family. In 1917, Ravel was released from the army because of his declining health, and the Dreyfus family welcomed him into their home. He recuperated there, finishing Le tombeau de Couperin the same year. The Menuet is passive and the tenderest of all the movements.

“Rigaudon”—In Memory of Pierre and Pascal Gaudin

Pierre and Pascal were brothers, and Ravel’s family was friendly with them and their sisters. The brothers joined the war as soon as it started. They were both killed by the same bomb on their first day of service, November 12, 1914. A rigaudon is a dance that originated in 17th-century Provence, recognized for its leaping passages.

Don’t miss the NJSO’s performances of Ravel’s tribute to his fallen friends, Feb 28–Mar 3.

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Post by Michael Rosin