Ravel - Gaspard de la nuit (Full) 

Ravel. Gaspard de la nuit. One of the giants of the piano repertoire, being written only in 1908, it's crazy to think there are still approximately 50 people alive today that were born before this amazing work of art existed. “Listen! Do you know what you hear? Handfuls of rain that I've thrown against your window, thrown by me, Ondine, spirit of the water.” The first of three piano compositions based on poems by Aloysius Bertrand, Ondine tells the dream-like story of a nymph singing to lure an outsider into her underwater kingdom. Both seductive and lethal, Ondine represents the allure of that whose beauty and promise belies a darker nature, much like the siren singing the lonely sailor to his watery grave. Ravel has captured this in glittering, enchanting piano arpeggios, which (much like Ondine herself) are so difficult that, when this piece was composed, it extended the classical piano technique. “What is this uneasy sound in the dusk? Is it the gasp of the winter wind, or did the hanged man on the gallows give out a sigh?” Le Gibet. The middle composition in Ravel’s Bertrand poems triptych, it slices the opus in two, conjuring an image of a lone body hanging on the gallows. Meanwhile, a bell tolls from inside the walls of a far-off city, creating the deathly atmosphere that surrounds the observer. What is exceptional about this composition is that Ravel repeats the Bb octave ostinato throughout the whole piece, imitating the tolling of the bell that so sombrely characterizes the scene. “Now blue and transparent as candlewax, his face as pale as the molten drippings and into the dark he's gone…” The final composition in Ravel’s settings of Bertrand’s poems, Scarbo recalls the nightmarish mischief of the eponymous goblin. The sly fiend makes pirouettes, flitting in and out of the darkness, disappearing and suddenly reappearing. Accordingly, the piano part requires acrobatic athleticism, marking the high point in technical difficulty in the entire set. Ravel wrote that this composition "has been the very devil to write, which is only reasonable since He is the author of the poems.” Hope you enjoy this finally-released full performance of Gaspard de la nuit, performed by the amazing M.I. Only 9 days left until Christmas, I hope you're all having a great holiday season ♥

Ladies and gentlemen - presenting to you one of the hardest piano suites in existence! Do you enjoy the long-form videos? The rendering time on these is absolutely insane but would you want these more often?

An old favourite of mine! I even wrote an English assignment in high school around this piece. Awesome :D -Andrew

I've never once commented on a RU-vid video before, but I wanted to do so right now to say from the bottom of my heart, thank you Rousseau. I first heard this song when I was probably 11, almost 20 years ago as a demo piece on my parents electric piano. It was one of the most beautiful songs I've ever heard and was one of the songs that inspired me to play piano. I've always wanted to learn it as a goal of mine, but I never could figure out the name of the piece or composer. I eventually forgot about it until I watched this video today. Hearing this song again is like finding a piece of myself that has long been missing or forgotten and makes me want to get back to playing piano again. Now that I know the name of this masterpiece and its composer, maybe I'll finally fulfill that dream of learning to play it that I made so long ago. Again, thank you Rousseau, you're work here inspires generations with the immutable art of music and history.

Ondine is difficult for several reasons: 1. Projecting the melody without it sounding forced. 2. Pacing of the phrases and separation of them. 3. Making the water effects sound “watery”. 4. Bringing out all the dynamic contrasts. 5. Conveying the emotion and pictures of the poem in music.

at the starting of the video Me: I can’t play this At the end Me: yes I can’t

This is one of my favorite piano pieces ever written. What is your favorite, and why?

4:08 smoothest glissandos ever...

Ravel is maybe the composer who achieved the synthesis of virtuosity, inventiveness, complexity and beauty, raising it to an unparalleled level.

This man casually dropping some of the hardest pieces like they pop covers 🤧

0:00 - Ondine 6:00 - Le Gibet 13:00 - Scarbo

This makes me feel like I'm chasing a melody that only reveals itself in full glory briefly, before retreating into the darkness again. I mean this in the most loving way possible, I would follow this melody to the end of the world.

This did not sound like music, it sounded like nature itself. I don't know how else to describe it. Wow.

10:40 nice save lol

breaks my heart that i'll never be able to play ondine or scarbo due to motor function issues with my hands, but i sure will subject my neighbours to the sublime misery of le gibet several times a week!! so nice to watch someone perform these pieces (and so well) with full view of the hands, gives you even more appreciation for how stupidly difficult they are

Gaspard de la nuit has to be one of my favorite pieces. When your first released Scarbo I was so hyped, but THIS, now this is what I’m talking about!

"Have fun" -Ravel

*when the outro is the piece* Me: hey.... that’s illegal

he really portayed the water like sound and feel to this piece so well, he did this piece justice. best person to play this piece no doubt. he blended all the notes together, it wasn't just a clutter of notes but it sounded like an atmosphere. he expressed the atmosphere of the emotions of the poem this piece was written about. what a lovely pianist and piece. my favoirte

Teacher: This is the lesson. You won't have to memorize much. *The lesson:*

My body and soul: Alright we're ready to sleep Rousseau: *uploads the full version of Gaspard de la nuit* Me: Okay imma sleep after 20 minutes. Me after 20 minutes: this is too great I can't even sleep

I’m sure about one. His fingers are faster than my internet connection. The end.

It's so dreamy, so calming yet so powerful. I just can't help myself but to listen to this everyday. I'm definitely going to listen to more Ravel

5:15 if you put headphones on and put the volume all the way up and listen really closely, you can hear the damper pedal.

People: Your videos are too short!!! Rousseau: ok you wanted this Rousseau 2 days later:

I was watching youtube, very casually. And Rousseau posts the whole piece of Gaspard de la Nuit. I got a heart attack lol

"To say with notes what a poet expresses with words." - Ravel This was incredibly well done!

this piece, specifically the first part, makes me cry of how good it is 😢😢 im so happy someone was able to compose something that beautiful, and someone that was able to perform it with such emotion and.... like... its perfect💖 thank you so much.

This is one of those pieces I can add to the list of never will be able to play

Oh I love Ondine it’s so breathtaking

10:40 Congratulations, Rousseau!!! You were stronger than your arm, you could've played those wrong notes and mess up.

Which hand is melody? Ravel: Yes.

This is a lot harder than HR2. Never imagine I could see this kind of performance online. Thank you

Ondine is my favorite piece ever written for piano. A dark yet beautiful melody bathing into mesmerizing fast chords mimicking the flow of water... Bewitching.

What i love in this piece is that none of it can be debated that it is a simple show of virtuosity, it is all eloquent beautiful and narrative

10:40 - That was close!

That’s mesmerizing, the colors, the sweetness of interpretation, how your fingers are running on the tiles, how easily it seems to be when however we all do know how hard it must be. I’m glad I found your channel more than a year ago. Thank you so much for making us dream and export talent all over the world

wow i didnt realize the sheer length of this piece, i was just tuning into this monday morning video. Glad i was able to witness it so early and glad it made my day a better one. currently laying in bed dreading getting up

10:40 Wait, what? 10:55 reminds me claire de lune

Stunning. I studied Gaspard de la Nuit and performed it as part of my final recital in my postgraduate degree whilst study at the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow (in the early 90s). I had the good fortune to perform it in a masterclass with Pascal Roge around the same time. However....I have never heard or seen it played so astonishingly as you do. Unbelievable. Thank you.

Only pianists will know how hard the opening of Ondine is to play. You capture the shimmering perfectly - reminds me a bit of Michelangeli.

I think I have perfect pitch on Bb because of the second one

that Bb ostinato in the second movement is so brilliant

I don't listen to classical music. I don't dislike it, I just, don't... pursue it, I guess. I've arrived here completely by chance. Someone mentioned the name of this piece, I thought I'd check it out. Didn't expect a full suite. I've just listened to the first part, Ondine, and I needed to take a break. I've never been this mesmerized by music. Maybe the visuals play a part in that, but I truly felt like I was in a dream. I was just transported by how airy and floaty this piece sounded. And the technicality of it ? Again, I don't play piano, I don't listen to classical music, I know nothing, but to see the player's hands cross over one another, it felt like the movements of them were mimicking the sensation I was feeling of gliding through a fantastic landscape. It sounds dumb lol but I just feel... a little "changed" after this, I guess. Like I've just discovered a whole new dimension I never knew existed right there. I'm going to listen to the rest of this, now.

This is absolutely insane. Imagine writing this down as a composer.

God I love this part so much it’s so distorted, messy and perfect at the same time 3:36

I hate you Then I love you then I hate you again and then I love you . . . I ve been palying the piano for 30 years and you make me wanna quit...

The Bb in Le Gibet is one of the most simple yet haunting aspects of any piece of piano music

The best parte for me: Ondine best part: 3:26 - 4:08 Le Gibet best part: 7:23 - 7:48 Scarbo best part: 17:28 - 17:56

Scarbo sounds like something Liszt would compose if he was in hell

this is amazing. Trying to wrap my head around how people wrote such insane music without the giant network of information we have today with the internet baffles me. Also props to the pianist for shredding so hard

This is the first time I've ever heard this piece. It instantly takes the spot for my favorite piece of music I've ever heard. Just wow.

I was literally watching the old Gaspard de la nuit piece when this video came out, and I'm even happier :)

I paused the video every 3 minutes so his fingers could rest

2:14 is the coolest thing I have *EVER* *SEEN*

6:15 - 6:35 I live to protect these chords.

The beginning of « Le Gibet » is very powerful, I don’t even know why but it make me feel something deep inside

3:30 This part actually made me nuit

I've never heard anything like this before.

Thank you for bringing more attention to this piece. It’s one of the most amazing pieces of work ever created for piano, IMO. Yet definitely not easy to present to an audience. Much respect for taking on the challenge of sharing your interpretation with the world.

3:29 One of the best climaxes in any piece.

The most difficult piece, i've ever seen. My respect. Nice interpretation.

Gaspard la Nuit is a fabulous work created by one of the greatest composers of the modern period. The set of images that it induces is musically strong of a fantastic realism. Although Ravel did not wanted to be included as an impressionist. However, , his music finds a great parallel with this current. The pianist is outstanding with an enormous sensitivity and a remarkable technique that profoundly utilizes the possibilities of the instrument. Viva Ravel and his extraordinary music, that leads us to unforgettable moments of delight and pleasure.

My MUS history teacher used to rank pieces by how "showerable" they were. If you could sing it in the shower, it was appealing to the masses beyond the artistic crowd. I don't think this is a showerable song. XD

Hi Rousseau! Since for once in my life I'm early, I thought of asking once more: could we see an arrangement of Dance of the sugar plum fairy by Tchaikovsky, whenever possible? I know you have other stuff planned, but this would be great! Thanks!

i was playing a game and saw this notification, didnt know what got over me and instantly tapped. i lost

I’ve actually never seen a cleaner Scarbo... like wow. Why aren’t you a concert pianist??

first got recommended the ondine on spotify and got mesmerised by the shimmering first few bars and mystical arpeggios, then realised how beautiful (and challenging) the rest of the piece is too. (especially scarbo) Hats off for a flawless performance!

Just beautiful, incredible, overwhelming, otherworldly ...performance and composition leave me speechless

This must be one of the first songs most new piano students learn.

Online is possibly the most magical piece ever written. It’s just so otherworldly.

I find Ravel (and Impressionists, in general) very dear to me. Impressionists have a special place in my heart, because they defied what Classical Music looked like. Beethoven, Mozart, they always created grandiose music. These Impressionists did the same, except they made us feel human and not as nobles being entertained in courts. They made us feel what is sad and happy, lonely and contentment.

Reflets dans l'eau on steroids lol

NASA: Our PC’s fps is the fastest thing in the world 🙄 Rousseau: well....

The way you made it sound so light and like the pattering of rain. Just so majestic and peaceful. Cannot believe you were able to play this in one go. Thanks for this

This program with these colors fits SO well to that colorful peace that makes you almost see colors and smell scents as you're listening! It's almost like a musical painting! Fits so well with that program!

This piece is literally insanely difficult. I have so much respect for you for learning this and playing with such mastery

*Ravel* is one of the most *unrivaled* composers

absolutely stunning. i cant imagine even attempting this. the scales, the movement of the wrists - how relaxed they look. no doubt the hardest piece I have ever seen. just awestruck by this.

I have seen this piece performed live in Sammatz, a small village in the rural area where i live. It was a Duo - an actor was recitating - and playing - the wonderful Fairytale "Der goldne Topf" from E.T.A. Hoffmann. Both, Le gaspard de la nuit and Der Goldne Topf matched absolutely beautiful, one of the most intense experiences i have had in theaters in my youth.

this song doesn't try to sound difficult and insane, it really tells a story far more than representing emotions like a lot of songs do. Also, I think that it is a lot lot lot lot lot harder than it sounds, and it already sounds very hard.

One of the longest but one of the most wonderful pieces ever made

One of the most skilled skilled pianists I have ever seen playing one of the most difficult pieces ever and we watch and just say 👁👄👁👍

Breathtaking performance Rousseau, you nailed it! And nice to see the top down perspective, that shows how incredible virtuosic this piece is.

Balakirev's Islamey: *exists* Ravel's Gaspard: imma bout to end this man's whole career

Ravel seriously made a piece, not only accomplishing it’s purpose, that being achieving more difficulty than Balakirev’s Islamey, but also managed to make it sound extremely good. (I could’ve worded this better but in simpler terms Ravel made a piece extremely difficult technically and yet also made it beautiful.)

I kept waiting for his third and fourth hands to appear, but they never did. What a marvelous piece of music. I've never heard of it before now. Thank you for introducing me to this great composer and allowing me to experience his music through your hands and talent. Merci beaucoup.

Mind blowing performance once again. Great job Rousseau!

its incredible how immersive Ondine really is. you can literally hear a conversation between the human man and Ondine, just like in the poem, but this time with far more malicious intent. pretty scary, actually

Wow ! Great playing of one of my favorite piano pieces ! Thanks a lot ! I must share this !

I knew this piece, and to view it with this reactive visualizer is still more magical. Thanks!

A beautiful performance and a mesmerizing video. Much thanks!

You inspire me so much after every video! I practice so much more just because of your work, thank you

Oh. My. God. M.I. you're simply amazing! Those visuals for the 2nd one tho... amazing! AMAZING!

If there was ever even the tiniest part of me that had an interest in learning to play the piano, this just killed it. My god that looks as difficult as it sounds amazing.

Jesus no wonder many pianist consider this to be the hardest piece ever

Timestamps: - 00:04 ( Ondine ). - 06:00 ( Le Gibet ). - 12:55 ( Scrabo).

At 0:57 I always release a deep breath I didn't realize I was holding in. Everything about this piece is just beautiful.

given the difficulty of this piece, its easily the greatest achievement youve got on your entire channel. Too bad it doesnt nearly get as much views as the other popular pieces

The only FACT on how to reach the level of Rousseau. . . . . Practice 25 hours a day.