Maurice Ravel – Jeux d'eau (Water Games)

Maurice Ravel (1875–1937) was one of the most original composers of the early 20th century. His style, full of subtle harmonies and refined tonal colors, elevated French music to new levels of expression. Jeux d'eau, composed in 1901, is one of Ravel's groundbreaking works for solo piano, exerting a profound influence on the development of Impressionist music. It symbolizes his fascination with nature and natural phenomena.

Jeux d'eau was inspired by the sounds of flowing water—both a tranquil stream and a pulsating fountain. The title refers to the work of Franz Liszt, who had previously composed Les Jeux d'eaux à la Villa d'Este, a piano piece that is a musical image of water. However, Ravel created a fresh, new vision in Jeux d'eau, in which sounds flow and shimmer, reflecting the constant movement and shimmer of water.

This piece became a milestone in piano music, inspiring other composers to search for new forms of expression and to exploit the possibilities of the instrument.