At twenty, still hesitating between austere classicism and the liberation of his innermost thoughts, Ravel played his "Menuet Antique" and a few months later, breaking suddenly with the School and asserting himself for the first time, the "Habanera," which after having been scored was io be incorporated twelve years later, in the "Spanish Rhapsody."
Quite remote from Debussy spite of appearances, Ravel has had But one real teacher, who without too heavily influencing his works has been nevertheless his real guide—I mean G. Faure. It is G. Faure who freed him from intellectualism and literature, made him resume the traditions of the French music of the eighteenth century of Couperin and Rameau, headed him towards pure music and compelled him to re-examine the values not only of the schools of Wagner and Franck but even of Debussy.
Finally, in Ravel's formation one cannot underestimate the influence of the Russians, particularly in all matters pertaining to the handling ai orchestra sounds. I shall mention but one name, that of Rimsky-Korsakoff, who by revealing to him the whole range of instrumental possibilities, enabled him to enrich the orchestral pallet with the addition of many a hue.
Ravel was never one of those young prodigies striking with wonder drawing-rooms full of enraptured auditors, at an age when children are usually wont to build sand castles, but at 20 he was already thoroughly himself.
His work, henceforward, cannot be classed in periods according to the manner he top. At 20, he is fully master of his art. Staunchly independent, merciless towards all ready-made formulae and vulgar imitations, contemptuous of fashion and snobbishness, passionate seeker, {constantly on the watch for a trier and new averse to compromise well as excess: fluency and improve l as far-fetched intriconstantly renewing himself, eager to learn, unprejudiced, endowed with a vibrating sensibility, despising all forms of romantic bombast by a kind of reaction resulting from pride and innate modesty, a mind thoroughly and lucidly tive, such is Ravel in 1895 and such he remained to his death.
Little did he care when a few Academy pedants, four years running, refused io award him the "prix de Rome." As sole revenge, when his fame is consecrated, the will refuse in his turn, all official
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.