Whenever I am doing a research of a composer, I try to use all my interests to integrate it. It gives me better perspective of the composer, his personality, possibly his personal life and at least his inner world. So, if it is possible, I am looking at his natal chart- even if the information that is given is false, it gives me an idea and inspiration of the composer (I can picture him as a human being with his personality, not just as a specific name) or the piece.
When I was younger, during my first years of study at Music Academy, I used to dislike playing Ravel’s excerpts. They were usually too hard for me, making me try to do a specific thing, usually extremes- loud and resonant first octave or very soft, thin third octave. Now, when I grew up a little bit, I am enjoying challenges of his music.
Looking at his natal chart, I could see some specific things of Ravel’s personality:
1) He seemed to be very intuitive, empathetic, sensitive, but it took a while for him to learn how to balance all his energies.
2) As he was Pisces with Scorpio rising, his feelings were very deep and intense- which could be seen in his passion for music and in his work in general. It was probably hard for him to learn how to control his emotions.
3) Uranus at the top of natal chart made him as to be seen as a genius in the presence of perspective people or as an eccentric and weirdo by other, closed-minded people. He never wanted to follow the rules of majority or trends, and always felt as a “black sheep”. It was probably due to his idealistic nature. He wanted freedom, and at the same time unexpected things often happened to him. He showed his interest in a new, progressive things and inventions (electricity, technologies and so on) and no wonder he was interested in aviation. Energetic and ambitious dreamer, but still practical enough to put his ideas in a concrete form. His idealism also was to put the humanity on a bigger, higher level than before, with possibly destructive tendencies.
4) He probably was very secretive by nature and heavily selected people in his life, and choose friends and colleges that made him intellectually stimulated (considering publications, entertainment, education, usually subjects about justice, philosophy and religion). The debate could seem to be very lively in communication (with giving sharp comments about something), even thought his relationships with people might be seen as superficial sometimes (“We are just colleges, nothing more”). He always wanted to prove himself, and you could be sure what he likes or dislikes, because he showed it very clearly.
5) He seemed to travel a lot and had a deep thinking about everything around him- and when he did a decision, it was usually very well considered. He was probably highly optimistic and liked because of it.
6) Considering his Pluto in 7th house he probably attracted partners with darker personalities or narcistic tendencies- that’s why his love life might not be satisfying. His aspect also shows he might be too dreamy and had idealised partner a lot- and cheated or got cheated on. The fraud was usually related to finances as well and if there were any engagements, they broke up. He could also start new love affairs before he finished the previous ones, or at least it were opened, but secret relationships. It usually resulted in grief, loss and trouble.
7) His finances were very unstable- since he was hedonist and liked luxury, he might have wasted too much money around, but it showed he could earn a lot too. So, he earned a lot, and wasted a lot. He could be impulsive as well- his chart shows he could be having drinking tendencies.
8) He was heavily influenced by his family members and family in general- his mother was somehow very important to him and he could have loose one parent very early or had very cold relationship with submissive parent.
9) I am not sure how much of a fair-play he was doing in his life, but he was smart enough to use cunning and use other people for his own interests.
This is just short analysis of his personality. I am inviting you to do a research of his biography and see if what I wrote was true. Some things might be more clear if you read both of the sources.
Anyways, Ravel is and will stay one of the composers that will make me push my limits and also make me more expressive as a flute player.
I usually like to listen Ravel during storm and thunder outside- I recommend everyone to try it too! 😊
Written by:
Comments