Le Tombeau de Couperin actually began before the war. Ravel had started the suite in 1914 with a dance, writing to Cipa Godebski, “I am transcribing a forlane by Couperin…”
Later that year, Ravel wrote to Roland-Manuel that he was writing a full French suite based on Baroque models, saying, “No, it isn’t what you think. La Marseillaise will not be in it, but it will have a forlane and a gigue, no tango however.”
Ravel’s piano suite was completed in 1917. In 1919, at the request of his publisher, the composer orchestrated four of the original six movements, omitting the fugue and the toccata.
The four movements are Prélude, Forlane, Menuet, and Rigaudon. This version premiered in Paris on February 28, 1920, performed by the Pasdeloup Orchestra, with Rhené-Baton conducting. Roland Manuel wrote, “This metamorphosis of piano pieces into symphonic works was a game for Ravel, a game played to perfection, so that the transcription outdid the original….It is a work of extreme economy.”
Here is pianist Yeol Eum Son to play this piece for you:
