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Producer(s):
ARTE FRANCE, 13 PRODUCTIONS
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Territories:
Worldwide.
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Production year:
2007
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Language(s):
German, English, French
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Rights:
NON-THEATRICAL, TV, VOD, DVD, INTERNET
The film attempts to investigate the mystery of Maurice Ravel's Boléro, the greatest hit of the classical << repertoire >>.
It exasperates some and delights others. It is familiar to music-lovers around the world and has inspired a variety of arrangements. The "greatest hit" of the classical repertoire, its most frequently performed piece, ravel's bolero is surrounded by mystery.
Bolero was the result of a rush order from the dancer ida rubinstein. Ravel, who usually worked slowly, was forced to resort to a semi-automatic composition system based on the repetition of a single melodic theme.
"I am eager to dispel any misunderstanding about this work. The orchestral writing is simple and direct through the entire length of the piece, without the slightest attempt at virtuosity. I did exactly what i wanted to do, and the audience can take it or leave it."
Ravel's provocative statement makes the incredible destiny of bolero even more paradoxical.
How a work which is so simple in appearance became the greatest success of the classical music repertoire, hummed by the musically profane, but also admired by the most demanding musical theorists ?
Ravel's character and life will be present in the film, along the numerous subsequent forms in which Boléro has been performed.
2008: SACEM Prize for Best Musical Documentary (France).