Ravel with Boston Symphony Orchestra, Messiaen, and more

Founded in 1881, the Boston Symphony Orchestra, supported by banker Henry Lee Higginson, is a pillar of U.S. orchestral culture. Its legendary recordings, especially on RCA Victor, benefit from Boston's Symphony Hall acoustics. Known for premieres of works by Stravinsky and Bartók, it has been led by conductors Monteux, Koussevitsky, and Ozawa. It also has ties with Tanglewood Music Festival and contributed to film scores like Spielberg's "Schindler's List" and "Saving Private Ryan" with John Williams.

Maurice Ravel, a French composer of Swiss-Basque descent, is celebrated for his meticulous craftsmanship and brilliant orchestration. Though associated with Impressionism, his style incorporated modernism, neoclassicism, and jazz. His iconic works include Boléro, Daphnis et Chloé, and Pavane pour une infante défunte. He notably orchestrated Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition and collaborated with figures like Diaghilev and Rubinstein. Ravel declined the Légion d'Honneur, solidifying his independent spirit.