#tbt From this week’s program: On March 8, 1928, Ravel (seated in this photo) was invited to conduct a program of his works, including “Le Tombeau de Couperin” and the “Sarabande et Danse.” While in New York, Ravel celebrated his 53rd birthday at a party attended by George Gershwin (furthest right). “George that night surpassed himself, achieving astounding feats in rhythmic intricacies, so that even Ravel was dumbfounded,” Gauthier, who was the host, later remembered. Gershwin asked Ravel if he could study composition with him, but Ravel declined. “You might lose that great rhythmic spontaneity and write bad Ravel,” he said. #nyphil #nyphilharmonic #ravel #gershwin #programnotes #orchestra #classicalmusic #musichistory (at New York Philharmonic Digital Archives)
