Recently Discovered Ravel Composition Premieres with the New York Philharmonic

A long-lost composition by Maurice Ravel, titled ‘Sémiramis: Prélude et Danse,’ has been rediscovered in the archives of the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and is set for its world premiere by Gustavo Dudamel and the New York Philharmonic. The manuscript, dating from 1900-1902, was identified by François Dru of the Ravel Edition while researching works for Ravel’s 150th anniversary. It had remained unnoticed in the library since 2000. The composition, part of an unfinished cantata, reveals influences from Rimsky-Korsakov and lacks some of Ravel’s later signature styles. The Philharmonic has faced challenges in interpreting the score due to missing tempo markings and notes. The orchestral aria within the piece will be premiered separately in December by the Orchestre de Paris. The manuscript was authenticated through references in a diary by Ravel’s friend, Ricardo Viñes, which documented a 1902 conservatory read-through. Dudamel views the performance as an opportunity to shape the music’s interpretation, given the lack of previous recordings or annotations. The discovery highlights Ravel’s early orchestration skills and his struggles at the Paris Conservatory. The Philharmonic’s premiere marks an important addition to the composer’s known works and a unique moment in classical music history.