Ravel – Boléro Maurice Ravel’s Boléro, premiered in 1928, is one of his most famous works and a landmark of 20th-century orchestral music. Built on nothing more than a single melody and an unchanging rhythm, it gradually develops into an overwhelming climax, symbolizing Ravel’s bold innovation. Overview of the Piece Inspired by the Spanish dance of the same name, Boléro begins with a steady snare drum rhythm that continues without interruption from start to finish. Over this pulse, the same melody is passed from one instrument group to another—woodwinds, brass, and strings—gradually expanding the texture until the full orchestra erupts ...
