Jean-Henri Ravina
Encyclopedia
Jean-Henri Ravina was a French virtuoso pianist
, composer
and teacher
.
Jean-Henri Ravina started his musical studies with his mother, Eugenie Ravina, a famous professor in Bordeaux. The child made his first public appearance performing works by Friedrich Wilhelm Kalkbrenner at the age of 8, and the violinist Pierre Rode
, who was present at the concert, encouraged him to continue his musical studies. Ravina then went to Paris, where he attended the private musical school of Alkan Morhange (Charles-Valentin Alkan
’s father), later he entered the piano class of Pierre Zimmermann at the Paris Conservatory. He also studied counterpoint with Anton Reicha
and Leborne there. In 1834 he received a first prize for piano play.
The 17-year-old Ravina became assistant to a professor at the Conservatory, but he resigned two years later to devote himself to his career as a virtuoso. He became a touring pianist, with performances in France, Spain and Russia. His whirlwind tours were highly acclaimed, and his compositions were immensely popular with his fans. At the same time he acquired an excellent reputation as a music teacher.
Ravina published several pieces for piano: etudes, concertos, rondos, divertimentos, variations and fantasies. He had also to make the transcription of Beethoven’s symphonies for piano for four hands.
Ravina was named as Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1861.
Charles-Valentin Alkan
and Antoine François Marmontel
, famous French pianists, were his good friends.
Pianist
A pianist is a musician who plays the piano. A professional pianist can perform solo pieces, play with an ensemble or orchestra, or accompany one or more singers, solo instrumentalists, or other performers.-Choice of genres:...
, composer
Composer
A composer is a person who creates music, either by musical notation or oral tradition, for interpretation and performance, or through direct manipulation of sonic material through electronic media...
and teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
.
Jean-Henri Ravina started his musical studies with his mother, Eugenie Ravina, a famous professor in Bordeaux. The child made his first public appearance performing works by Friedrich Wilhelm Kalkbrenner at the age of 8, and the violinist Pierre Rode
Pierre Rode
Jacques Pierre Joseph Rode was a French violinist and composer.-Biography:Born in Bordeaux, Aquitaine, France, Pierre Rode traveled to Parisat the age of 13 and soon became a favourite pupil of the great Giovanni Battista Viotti who found the boy so talented that he charged him no fee for the...
, who was present at the concert, encouraged him to continue his musical studies. Ravina then went to Paris, where he attended the private musical school of Alkan Morhange (Charles-Valentin Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan was a French composer and one of the greatest virtuoso pianists of his day. His attachment to his Jewish origins is displayed both in his life and his work. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of six, earning many awards, and as an adult became a famous virtuoso...
’s father), later he entered the piano class of Pierre Zimmermann at the Paris Conservatory. He also studied counterpoint with Anton Reicha
Anton Reicha
Anton Reicha was a Czech-born, later naturalized French composer. A contemporary and lifelong friend of Beethoven, Reicha is now best remembered for his substantial early contribution to the wind quintet literature and his role as a teacher – his pupils included Franz Liszt and Hector Berlioz...
and Leborne there. In 1834 he received a first prize for piano play.
The 17-year-old Ravina became assistant to a professor at the Conservatory, but he resigned two years later to devote himself to his career as a virtuoso. He became a touring pianist, with performances in France, Spain and Russia. His whirlwind tours were highly acclaimed, and his compositions were immensely popular with his fans. At the same time he acquired an excellent reputation as a music teacher.
Ravina published several pieces for piano: etudes, concertos, rondos, divertimentos, variations and fantasies. He had also to make the transcription of Beethoven’s symphonies for piano for four hands.
Ravina was named as Chevalier of the Legion of Honor in 1861.
Charles-Valentin Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan
Charles-Valentin Alkan was a French composer and one of the greatest virtuoso pianists of his day. His attachment to his Jewish origins is displayed both in his life and his work. He entered the Paris Conservatoire at the age of six, earning many awards, and as an adult became a famous virtuoso...
and Antoine François Marmontel
Antoine François Marmontel
Antoine François Marmontel was a French pianist, teacher and musicographer.Marmontel entered the Paris Conservatory in 1827. His teachers were Pierre Zimmerman in pianoforte, Victor Dourlen in harmony, Jacques Fromental Halévy in fugue and Jean-François Le Sueur in composition...
, famous French pianists, were his good friends.