After Ravel’s piano music, here is his chamber music, revolving around his Trio for piano, violin, and cello—quite an extended work, especially for a usually pithy and concentrated composer like him. THe availability of these three instruments allowed to place the Trio between two Sonatas, one for violin and piano and the only one for violin and cello, both from Ravel’s late years. They have something in common, namely, hints at black American music. The Violin Sonata hosts a blues, most likely inspired by Duke Ellington’s Orchestra during Ravel’s 1928 USA tour; the other Sonata opens up on a Cuban tresillo rhythm, possibly the resurfacing childhood memories.
