“Music was my refuge. I could crawl into the space between the notes and curl my back to loneliness.”
― Maya Angelou

This week we share with you a familiar and remarkable recording of a piece that we loved as soon as we found it.

During difficult times, when our hearts can be so full, we often look to music for escape, for release, for healing … we hope this piece brings you some joy!

Happy Easter friends.

It’s said that Boléro by Maurice Ravel is one of the most frequently-played pieces of classical music and that, every 15 minutes, somewhere in the world, a performance begins. One thing is certain: it is highly ranked among the 10 works most frequently played outside France, according to SACEM (the Society of Authors, Composers and Publishers of Music)

This recording uses the wonders of digital technology to create something new for all of us. You may think you know this composition, but rest assured, you’ve never seen a performance of it quite like this one.

We are used to hearing the concert version of Boléro but this revered composition was actually written for ballet. The Russian dancer and Belle Époque icon Ida Rubinstein commissioned the work from Ravel. She wanted a ballet with a Spanish inspiration. After a few false starts, the composer eventually brought her Boléro, modelled on a Spanish dance in triple time that first appeared in the 18th century.

The orchestra posted the following this about the community recording “Waiting to see you again.”

During this delicate period we are going through, the musicians of the National Orchestra of France wanted, despite the distance, to play together, to offer and share with everyone what they know how to do best: music. Hoping that these universal notes from Ravel will bring you some warmth and comfort. ”

We are all in this together.
the Carr Center

The hardships continue in every aspect of our lives right now. The arts remain a shining light on the resiliency and strength of the human spirit.

If you have been enjoying our emails and are able to give financially we ask that you please consider even a small gift to the Carr Center.