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Maurice Ravel’s 150th Birthday with the SLSO

By Eric Dundon

Happy birthday Maurice Ravel! The St. Louis Symphony Orchestra celebrated the French composer’s 150th birthday with a program filled with his music, led by Music Director Stéphane Denève, a fellow Frenchman.

One of his favorite conductors, Ravel holds a special place in Denève’s career. It showed with heartfelt and authentic interpretations of Ravel’s music. Opening the concert was the Mother Goose Suite with its many moods and emotions. Perhaps the biggest surprise of the program, pianist Kirill Gerstein joined for performances of both Ravel piano concertos—the Concerto in G and Concerto for the Left Hand. A rare feat, Gerstein earned two standing ovations for his powerful back-to-back performances. Bolero, a perennial favorite, showcased the entire orchestra, including the more 4,000 strikes of the snare drum by Principal Percussionist William James.

Photos by Virginia Harold

Pianist Kirill Gerstein was the featured soloist on the program.
SLSO winds.
Music Director Stéphane Denève leads the orchestra in Ravel’s Mother Goose Suite.
UMSL’s Touhill Performing Arts Center was packed for the celebration of Ravel.
Violinist Nathan Lowry.
SLSO cellists and doubles bassists during Ravel’s Bolero.
Concertmaster David Halen waits backstage.
Denève and Gerstein take a bow following the Piano Concerto in G.
Denève greets the audience.
Associate Principal Percussionist Alan Stewart warms up.

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