Piece en Forme de Habanera, M. 51 Cover Image

Piece en Forme de Habanera, M. 51: Bassoon, Solo with Piano, Book

$5.95 USD
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Piece en Forme de Habanera, M. 51 Cover Image
Piece en Forme de Habanera, M. 51: Bassoon, Solo with Piano, Book

Piece en Forme de Habanera, M. 51: Bassoon, Solo with Piano, Book

By Maurice Ravel, ed./arr. by Fernand Oubradous

Grade: 5

Item: 36-M401091
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Description
Maurice Ravel (1875-1937), like many French composer of the time, tried his hand at writing the habanera in 1907, a Cuban dance which was very popular in Spain at the end of the 19th century. Originally written as a vocal etude titled Vocalise-étude en forme de Habanera, the work was quickly adapted for various solo instruments and retitled Pièce en Forme de Habanera. This transcription for bassoon of Ravel's delightful work was completed by Fernand Oubradous and is a great recital or contest selection. Reprint of the French edition.

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Additional Details
Series: Master Woodwind Series - LudwigMasters
Publisher: Keiser Productions, Inc.
ISBN10: 8-89-270571-7
ISBN13: 979-8-89-270571-4
UPC: 676737992323
SKU: 36-M401091
Instrumentation: Bassoon and Piano

More about this title

About the Composer: Maurice Ravel

Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) was a French composer whose fastidious orchestration and harmonic innovation shaped twentieth-century classical music. He mastered the art of reimagining existing forms through a distinctly modern lens, whether working with folk melodies, dance rhythms, or vocal writing. His output was relatively modest by comparison to his contemporaries, but each work bears the imprint of meticulous craftsmanship.

Ravel's engagement with non-European musical traditions reflected both his curiosity and the cultural moment in which he worked. The habanera in particular fascinated him as a form that had traveled from Cuba through Spain and into French concert halls. His approach to the genre balanced respect for its essential character with harmonic language that was unmistakably his own.

Why we love this

This transcription captures what makes Ravel's writing so compelling on a solo instrument: the interplay between a singing melodic line and subtle harmonic movement in the accompaniment. Bassoonists gain access to a work that sits comfortably in the instrument's expressive range while making genuine musical demands. The habanera rhythm provides a distinctive character that sets it apart from the standard recital repertoire.

What to expect

The habanera lends this piece a gentle, swaying quality that feels simultaneously Spanish and thoroughly Parisian. The bassoon's singing voice emerges from the piano's rhythmic pulse with an unhurried elegance, creating moments of quiet sophistication punctuated by subtle harmonic shifts that refresh the familiar dance rhythm.

Who it's for

Advanced high school and college bassoonists preparing for recitals or competitions will find this work both musical and technically appropriate for Grade 5 level. It suits musicians who have developed secure intonation and the expressive control needed to voice a lyrical line over changing harmonic colors.

How to get the most out of it

  • Shape the melody with a warm, unhurried tone that honors the dance-like phrasing of the habanera. Ravel's lines reward long, sustained lines over the piano's rhythmic foundation.
  • Balance the accompaniment carefully with your sound. The piano part is essential to the work's character, not subordinate, so listen actively to the harmonic support beneath your line.
  • Let the subtle chromatic motion and harmonic shifts emerge naturally rather than overemphasizing them. Ravel's sophistication lies in restraint.

How to use it

This work sits well on a recital that juggles contemporary and early twentieth-century repertoire, providing a bridge between eras. It also pairs naturally with other French woodwind music from the same period, or it can anchor a program around works inspired by non-European musical traditions.

Skills your students will build

  • Sustaining warm, centered tone on long lyrical phrases
  • Balancing solo line with an active piano accompaniment
  • Performing stylistically within the habanera rhythm without losing musical line
  • Reading and responding to subtle harmonic color changes in the accompaniment

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