A genre-bending project honoring the expansive legacy of two beloved French composers: Claude Debussy and Maurice Ravel. ensemble132 explores these composers’ influence on an array of styles and genres through the 20th century, from Da Falla to Miles Davis to Sariaaho – while looking backward as far the the medieval age, contextualizing and illuminating how Ravel and Debussy paved such groundbreaking musical paths. Our most comprehensive project yet, we’ll trace these connections of artistry in a variety of programs and formats, with all-string arrangements as well as original compositions. In 2025, we will focus on the music of Maurice Ravel and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor in celebration of the joint 150th anniversary of their births.

Program 1: Ravel and Coleridge-Taylor (run time ~60’-90’)
In 2025, we are celebrating the joint birthdays of Maurice Ravel and Samuel Coleridge-Taylor, both of whom played pivotal roles in the early 20th century as they blended styles from all over the world, with a special fascination with Jazz. Program includes but not limited to the following works:

Maurice Ravel Miroirs, arr. Hong for string quartet

Maurice Ravel Blues – Moderato from Violin Sonata No. 2, arr. Hong for string quartet

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Fantasiestücke for string quartet

Samuel Coleridge-Taylor Noveletten arr. Hong for string quartet

Avril Coleridge-Taylor The Shepherd, arr. Hong for string quartet

Coleridge-Taylor Perkinson “Calvary” String Quartet No. 1

Miles Davis Blue in Green, arr. Hong for string quartet

George Gerswhin: selected works (e.g. Lullaby, Summertime, American in Paris)

Program 2: Debussy’s Tomb (run time ~60’-90’)
In 1920, the French journal “Revue Musicale” commissioned 10 composers to write pieces in homage to Claude Debussy. Below is a selection works that influenced Debussy, and that were influenced by and dedicated to Debussy – displaying the unique roll in history that Debussy played, changing the musical landscape forever while carrying the torch of tradition from centuries’ past.

Works by Claude Debussy, arranged for string trio and quartet:

Hommage à Rameau
Scottish March on a Folk theme
Des Pas sur la Neige
Nuages
Passepied

From Le Tombeau de Debussy

Da Falla Homenaje
Satie En Souvenir
Ravel Sonata for violin and cello
Bartok Sostenuto, rubato

Other works

Marin Marais Voix Humaines
Rameau “Sarabande for the Statue” from Pygmalion
Tailleferre Pastorale in D Major
Lili Boulanger D’un Matin de Printemps
Saariaho “Cloud” Trio
Django Reinhardt Nuages