Ma Mere l'Oye

Ravel originally wrote Ma mere l'oye (Mother Goose) as a piano duet for the Godebski children, Mimi and Jean, ages 6 and 7. Ravel dedicated this work for four hands to the children (just as he had dedicated an earlier work, Sonatine to their parents). Jeanne Leleu and Genevieve Durony premiered the work. The piece was transcribed for solo piano by Ravel's friend Jacques Charlot the same year as it was published (1910). In 1911, Ravel orchestrated the work. Then, in 1912, he expanded it into a ballet adding new movements (Prelude and Danse du rouet et scene) and interludes. Erik Somers transcribed the suite from the ballet for Wind Ensemble.