Beautiful piece of music. I thought I'd give myself this as a target to try and learn over the summer. About what level would it be considered? Anyone else learnt it and have any tips? etc.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cumoVX7x3Zo For those that don't know it.

Quite an interesting piece - I'd say it's around LRSM standard...

Here's a list: http://www.abrsm.org/resources/PerfReppiano.pdf

Not personally learnt it though.

~Wobby~

Mmmmm This brings back my memory of ... wow, about 25 years ago!!! ... I played this for my teaching diploma and loved it. I used to play this a lot at concerts etc (in my youth). My professor showed me "how to" practise and memorise this piece as well as a lot of helpful and constructive criticism...

I must go and resurrect this piece! You got me going!!!
hero

ps. the standard? I think, in general, this is more difficult that the standard required for the first diplomas.

What does "jeux d'eau" mean?

Water games

I have been playing the piano for 25 years and have never played any Ravel as yet!!! I must get some and see what i've missed out on

25 years and you've never played Ravel?! Where've you been? Umm, I think you've missed out on quite a lot!

~Wobby~

http://imslp.org/wiki/Category:Ravel%2C_Maurice Here you go.

[quote name='Jaunty Angle' date='Jun 3 2007, 04:38 PM' post='524938']

What does "jeux d'eau" mean?
[/quote]

Water games

[/quote]

I thought it just meant fountains? Water games sounds more fun though.....

Jeux D'eau tis on the LRSM diploma list I believe (2nd dip you take with ABRSM), I played it about last December, its a pig of a piece but sounds beautiful! Takes a lot of practise to get all the notes in the right order and played in the right way, but once you get it it sticks! Good luck!

lol @ how incredibly difficult this is.

Why, what Grade did you think it was?

~Wobby~

I didn't mean it in that way, it's just that I went away and tried to learn some more of it and it's quite 'tricky'.

Wow! I love this piece I just learned it this year and played it for several competitions and did quite well with it!
Yes, "Jeux d'eau" is literally translated as "Water Games" but more commonly known as "Fountains."
There is also a quote from a poem by Henri de Regnier that Ravel included with the manuscript that states "River god laughing at water as it tickles him" (except, of course, it was in French... haha).
I found this piece challenging to learn. It took a while to get all the notes under my fingers, but it is beautiful! It must be sooo sparkly and technically effortless though, to truly come off as water. Also, make sure you are doing all the correct articulation, even if the pedal is covering it, becuase it comes off SOO beautifully!
There are some good and different recordings you should hear... there are so many ways to pedal this piece and I have heard some really neat ideas by different people. For sure listen to Martha Agerich and Andre Laplante... and if you have some specific pedalling ideas (my teacher gave me some really interesting ideas about cutting the pedal at certain points and it has a really neat effect!) then for sure just ask me!
This piece is absolutley STUNNING and I am so glad you are learning it! It is an unassuming beauty and really quite a pleasure to play. And it is so exciting when you have the technique down and it just flows. Good luck!!!

Try the 'Sonatine' for start, or some of the movements of 'Le Tombe de Couperin'. Dont forget the famous 'Pavane pour une infante defunte' or shorter pieces like 'Minuet sur le nom Haydn', or 'Minuet Antique' Then try 'Valses Nobles et Sentimentales' 'Jeux d'Eau' 'Miroirs' and finally his masterpiece 'Gaspard de la Nuit'

All good stuff, though Im not up to the hareder pieces.!