Christoph Enzel

Pavane pour une Infante Défunte

Pavane for a Dead Princess Origin: Early 1899

The Pavane for a Dead Princess is considered to be one of Ravel's most popular works. The solemn and stately court dance strutting along in an even pulse turns into a melancholic, yet not sombre dirge. This Pavane is dedicated to the Princess of Polignac. Trying to put a stop to rampant poetic interpretations of the composition's title, Ravel made a point of stating that 'When I phrased the title, I was merely interested in having the fun of creating a pun. Pavane pour une Infante Défunte - the alliterations can hardly be ignored.'

The arrangement on hand is in line with the orchestral version written by Ravel himself in 1910 and constitutes part of the series Ravel for Saxophone Quartet including publications of, among others, Ma Mère L'Oye (Mother Goose), Trois Chansons (Three Songs) and Le Tombeau de Couperin.