Double Bass Ravel - Ma Mere L'Oye - IV

[b1644]

Hello,

Can someone please advise about the divisi section starting halfway thru the 5th bar after number 2 in #IV ("Beauty and the Beast")?

The upper bass part is playing what looks like a 16th note trill from Bb to Ab while the lower part is playing a 16th note trill but starting on Ab up to Bb.

If we take this seriously it means the bass section would overall be generating a very dissonant constant Bb against an Ab.

Or do we just play a Ab-Bb trill... which would pretty much amount to the same thing?

Thanks,

Martin

 

[Neil Pye]

You should play it as written - alternating semiquavers Ab-Bb, half starting on Ab, half on Bb

The rhythm is important, be careful with the note lengths

 

[Dbass926]

It is supposed to create a blur of whole step dissonance, yes. Ravel could write some pretty forward-thinking sounds when he wanted to.

 

[Neil Pye]

The effect needs to be as even as possible, no "lumps", which is why it needs to be played as accurately as you can