Ravel was 30 years old in 1905 when he composed this work, which sparked great enthusiasm from its creation. Through its conciseness, it takes a different approach from contemporary piano works still imbued with German post-romanticism (Dukas, d'Indy, Franck). Truly modern, although of classical form, it contributes to this revival of past forms (the central movement is a minuet!), which Claude Debussy would in turn elevate a few years later with his last three sonatas (1915-1917).
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