Member-only story

Jeux Interdits: The Haunting and Beautiful Piano Hands Music That Will Send Shivers Down Your Spine

Tony Carter

·16.9k Followers· Follow

Published in Jeux Interdits: Piano 4 Hands (Music For Piano 4 Hands 58)

5 min read

45 View Claps

4 Respond

Save

Listen

Jeux Interdits, or "Forbidden Games" in English, is a haunting and beautiful piece of piano music that has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Its simple yet evocative melody and haunting harmonies have made it a favorite of pianists and music lovers alike. The piece was composed by French composer Maurice Ravel in 1912 and was originally written for solo piano. It was later orchestrated by Ravel in 1920 and has since been performed by countless orchestras and soloists around the world.

Jeux interdits: piano 4 hands (Music for piano 4 hands 58)

Jeux interdits: piano 4 hands (Music for piano 4 hands Book 58)

by Melinda J. Smith

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	2775 KB
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Print length	:	196 pages

The title of the piece, Jeux Interdits, is taken from a children's game in which children pretend to bury a dead bird. The game is said to be a way for children to come to terms with the death of a loved one. Ravel was inspired to write the piece after hearing children playing the game in the garden of his home in Paris.

The music of Jeux Interdits is characterized by its simplicity and its evocative use of harmony. The melody is simple and repetitive, but it is played against a constantly changing harmonic background. This creates a sense of tension and unease that is both haunting and beautiful.

The piece has been used in numerous films and television shows, including the 1952 film of the same name. It has also been recorded by countless pianists, including Arturo Benedetti Michelangeli, Vladimir Horowitz, and Maurizio Pollini.

Jeux Interdits is a timeless piece of music that continues to haunt and inspire audiences today. Its simple yet evocative melody and haunting harmonies have made it a favorite of pianists and music lovers alike. It is a piece of music that will stay with you long after you hear it.

The Composer: Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel was born in Ciboure, France, in 1875. He began studying piano at the age of seven and entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of 14. Ravel was a brilliant student and quickly became one of the most promising composers of his generation. He graduated from the Conservatoire in 1905 and soon after began composing his own music.

Ravel's music is characterized by its impressionistic style and its use of exotic harmonies and rhythms. He was influenced by the music of Claude Debussy, but he developed his own unique style that is both sophisticated and accessible.

Ravel composed a wide range of music, including orchestral works, piano pieces, chamber music, and operas. Some of his most famous works include the orchestral suite "Daphnis et Chloé," the piano piece "Gaspard de la nuit," and the opera "L'Enfant et les sortilèges." Ravel died in Paris in 1937 at the age of 62.

The Enduring Appeal of Jeux Interdits

Jeux Interdits has been captivating audiences for over 70 years. Its simple yet evocative melody and haunting harmonies have made it a favorite of pianists and music lovers alike.

There are many reasons for the enduring appeal of Jeux Interdits. First, the piece is simply beautiful. The melody is simple and easy to remember, but it is also hauntingly beautiful. The harmonies are rich and complex, but they are also accessible to listeners of all levels.

Second, the piece is evocative. The title of the piece, Jeux Interdits, suggests a sense of mystery and loss. The music itself is full of tension and unease, but it is also ultimately hopeful. This combination of mystery, loss, and hope is what makes Jeux Interdits so enduringly appealing.

Finally, the piece is timeless. It was written over 70 years ago, but it still sounds fresh and modern today. This is due in part to the piece's simple and evocative melody and harmonies, but it is also due to Ravel's genius as a composer. Jeux Interdits is a piece of music that will continue to haunt and inspire audiences for many years to come.

Jeux interdits: piano 4 hands (Music for piano 4 hands Book 58)

by Melinda J. Smith

4.5 out of 5