Ravel: Piano Concerto for the Left Hand [Jean-Efflam Bavouzet]

Accompanied by the hr-Sinfonieorchester (Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra), French classical pianist Jean-Efflam Bavouzet performs Maurice Ravel’s “Piano Concerto for the Left Hand in D major”. Conductor: Juraj Valčuha. Recorded at Alte Oper Frankfurt on September 30, 2016. Published by hr-Sinfonieorchester.

Maurice Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand

Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand is a remarkable work that showcases both technical mastery and emotional depth. Composed between 1929 and 1930, the piece was commissioned by Paul Wittgenstein (May 11, 1887 – March 3, 1961), a concert pianist who lost his right arm during World War I. Determined to continue his career despite his disability, Wittgenstein approached Maurice Ravel, along with several other composers, to create works specifically for the left hand alone. Ravel’s response was a concerto that stands as one of the most significant and powerful compositions in the repertoire for piano and orchestra.

The concerto is known for its dark and dramatic character, reflecting both the struggle and triumph of the human spirit. Ravel was deeply inspired by jazz, which was gaining popularity in Paris during the 1920s, and elements of jazz are intricately woven into the fabric of the concerto. The use of syncopation, blues-inflected harmonies, and driving rhythms gives the piece a unique and modern edge that sets it apart from traditional concertos of the era. Despite being written for only one hand, the concerto achieves a full, rich sound, with Ravel employing complex textures and sophisticated orchestration to create the illusion of a two-handed performance. This makes the work not only technically challenging but also an impressive demonstration of Ravel’s skill as a composer.

The concerto opens with a mysterious and somber introduction by the orchestra, gradually building in intensity before the piano makes its dramatic entrance. Throughout the piece, there is a constant interplay between the soloist and the orchestra, with moments of tension and release that keep the listener on edge. Ravel’s masterful orchestration ensures that the piano and orchestra are equal partners, with neither overpowering the other. The emotional range of the concerto is vast, moving from moments of despair and melancholy to passages of fierce determination and even triumph. The powerful climax and the exhilarating ending leave a lasting impression on the audience, celebrating the resilience of the human spirit.

Ravel’s Piano Concerto for the Left Hand is not only a testament to the ingenuity of Maurice Ravel but also a tribute to Paul Wittgenstein’s unwavering dedication to his art. It remains a beloved and respected piece in the piano repertoire, admired for its technical demands, emotional depth, and the sheer inventiveness required to compose such a compelling work for one hand alone.

Ravel is quoted in one source as saying that the piece is in only one movement (Daily Telegraph, 11 July 1931, p. 364), and in another as saying the piece is divided into two movements linked together (Le Journal, 14 January 1933, p. 328).

Paul Wittgenstein

Paul Wittgenstein was born in Vienna, the son of the industrialist Karl Wittgenstein. His brother Ludwig was born two years later. The household was frequently visited by prominent cultural figures, among them the composers Johannes Brahms, Gustav Mahler, Josef Labor, and Richard Strauss, with whom the young Paul played duets. His grandmother, Fanny Wittgenstein, was a first cousin of the violinist Joseph Joachim, whom she adopted and took to Leipzig to study with Felix Mendelssohn.

He studied with Malvine Brée and later with a much better-known figure, the Polish virtuoso Theodor Leschetizky. He made his public début in 1913, attracting favorable reviews. The following year, however, World War I broke out, and he was called up for military service. He was shot in the elbow and captured by the Russians during the assault on Ukraine, and his right arm had to be amputated.

After losing his right arm, Wittgenstein devised novel techniques, including pedal and hand-movement combinations, that allowed him to play chords previously regarded as impossible for a five-fingered pianist.

Helene Tysman performs Ravel Piano Concerto for the Left Hand

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet

Jean-Efflam Bavouzet (born 1962 in Lannion, France) is a French classical pianist. He is a former student of Pierre Sancan at the Paris Conservatoire. Bavouzet was invited by conductor Georg Solti (21 October 1912 – 5 September 1997) to give his debut with the Orchestre de Paris in 1995, and is considered Solti’s last discovery.

Bavouzet is a recording artist for the Chandos label. His recordings have received several Gramophone Awards (2011, Works for Piano and Orchestra by Debussy and Ravel; 2009, Debussy Complete Solo Piano Music, vol. 4), and numerous other awards, including the BBC Music Magazine Award, the Choc de la Musique and the Diapason d’Or (recommendation of outstanding classical music recordings given by reviewers of Diapason magazine in France, broadly equivalent to “Editor’s Choice”, “Disc of the Month” in the British Gramophone magazine).