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Donald Macleod explores Ravel’s early war years and eagerness to serve his country, weaving the story around the movements of his much-loved Piano Trio.

The music of Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) is much loved for its remarkable orchestral colours and brilliant virtuosity. But his chamber music - intimate, crystalline, and beautiful - is often overlooked. This week, Donald Macleod introduces every one of Ravel’s works for small instrumental ensemble - an array of work that spans the composer’s colourful life and career.

When war broke out in 1914, Ravel was keen to do his bit and eagerly awaited his call-up for military service. But a series of delays thwarted his ambitions; it was more than a year before he was finally sent to the front at Verdun to drive a tank. Donald Macleod takes us through the composer’s poignant experiences of World War I, weaving the story around the movements of the composer’s Piano Trio.

Deux Melodies Hebraïques: Kaddisch
Nora Gubisch (mezzo)
Alain Altinoglu (piano)

Piano Trio in A Minor (1st mvt)
Merz Trio

Trois chansons, for mixed choir
Ensemble Philippe Caillard
Philippe Caillard (conductor)

Piano Trio in A Minor (2nd mvt)
Merz Trio

Prelude; Rigaudon (Le Tombeau De Couperin, arr Jones)
Les Vents Francais

Piano Trio in A Minor (3rd and 4th mvts)
Merz Trio

Deux Melodies Hebraïques: L’enigme eternel
Nora Gubisch (mezzo)
Alain Altinoglu (piano)

Produced by Steven Rajam