Practice Journal - Ocean rather than River - Une Barque sur l’Océan from Miroirs by Ravel

While practising Une Barque sur l’Océan from Miroirs by Ravel, I began to hear the piece less as a gentle boat floating on a river, and more as the vast, unpredictable ocean itself.

The opening creates a distant and subdued atmosphere, almost like waves appearing from far away through mist. The flowing arpeggios across the keyboard immediately give a sense of water in constant motion. Ravel’s wide use of the piano register makes the sound feel endless, as though the ocean stretches beyond the horizon.

Calm opening atmosphere from the score

What stood out most to me was the extreme dynamic contrast throughout the piece. Moments of calm and stillness are suddenly interrupted by huge surges of sound, almost like waves crashing against the boat. The music can feel peaceful one moment, then violent and overwhelming the next. This contrast captures the ocean’s dual nature, beautiful, but also powerful and unpredictable.

I also noticed how the texture constantly shifts and swells, never fully settling. Even in quieter passages, there is always movement underneath, like the sea is continuously breathing.

As seen in the score, the massive climactic waves emerge through Ravel’s thick textures and dynamics.