Emily Kilpatrick; Reaktion Books; Paperback
This biography, published for the 150th anniversary of Ravel's birth, describes his journey from Parisian apprentice to global musical icon. Drawing on fresh research, it reveals Ravel as both a daring provocateur and a reflective elder, his lifelong quest for originality driven by his deep love of history and literature. Set against a background of profound cultural and political upheaval, his story unfolds through his battles with the artistic establishment, his creative resilience after wartime losses, and the tragic incapacitation of his final years.