French composer Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) took great pride in his newly completed Piano Concerto in G, written between 1929 and 1931. Although it adheres to the traditional form and style of the piano concerto, the work is notable because of the way Ravel incorporates himself into it. His values, ideas, and beliefs about music and composition were influenced by family, heritage, literature, mythology, and the rapidly evolving musical world around him. Ravel lived during a time of substantial musical innovation worldwide, and this paper discusses how these influences were integral in the creation of his Piano Concerto in G.
Understanding the specific influences found in this piece leads to a deeper appreciation of it. The Piano Concerto in G includes so many different and varied allusions that one cannot possibly hear them all in one listening, but there is great satisfaction and pleasure when one recognizes and appreciates the references. It is the goal of this paper to succinctly describe the influences and then explain how they are incorporated into the work through a thorough analysis of the music. The concerto was met with tremendous success, and it earned Ravel the respect of his contemporaries. The Piano Concerto in G is truly a portrait of the life of one of France’s greatest composers.