Did you know that a cheese grater can be used not only in the kitchen?
Let’s see how Maurice Ravel put it to use!
The Child and the Spells is a fairytale opera in which Ravel used an unusual instrument: a cheese grater. The composer was famous for incorporating unconventional instruments into his score.
In the aforementioned opera, he also used:
- Aelophon – a wind machine,
-
Prepared piano,
- Luthéal piano – which produced sounds reminiscent of hammered dulcimer, harpsichord or harp.
In his works, Ravel also employed extensive percussion sections. For example, percussion section in the orchestral version of Alborada includes: kettle drums, triangle, snare drum, cymbals and xylophone, as well as bass drum, tambourine, rattle, and castanets.
And if you are looking for illustrations presenting instruments – even the most unusual ones – visit our Ikonoteka!
