Written in 1903 when Ravel was just 28 years old, Quartet in F major is one of, if not the most influential piece in the history of French chamber music. Music critics of the time had split opinions on the matter, some claimed that Ravel was a new and upcoming voice in the world of French chamber music, others stated that he derived too much from Debussy’s quartet, published just 10 years earlier. Although Debussy himself fully supported Ravel and his quartet, Gabriel Faure, Ravel’s teacher and to whom the work was dedicated, was among the less supportive crew. In 1903, Ravel entered the first movement of the quartet in the Prix de Rome competition, but was not selected as one of the winners. Despite the quartet’s various historical struggles and doubts, it remains one of the most performed quartets today.

This work includes nearly every color a string quartet can achieve. From rich and warm tones, to folk influenced pizzicato, to the fury of tremolo, Ravel captures the variety of possible sounds of a string quartet. The First movement is written in sonata form, beginning with a warm and full F
major introduction. The second movement, much different from the first, starts pizzicato and weaves in a variety of differing textures as the movement progresses. The third movement aligns much more with the ideas of French impressionistic music, while still containing the essence of Ravel’s compositional style. This slow and lyrical movement paints a soundscape of which is both haunting and comforting before entering the finale, aptly titled, “Vif et agite.” Lively and restless. The title of the last movement speaks for itself.