With the unassuming march of a snare drum, Ravel begins what is arguably his most famous work, the incomparable Bolero. Originally commissioned by the Spanish dancer Ida Rubinstein in 1922, Boléro was written in 1928 and, to Ravel’s surprise, proved a public sensation in the decades after its premiere. The work is a masterclass in instrumentation, with a theme that repeats no fewer than 17 times from a whispering pianissimo to a unrestrained fortissimo. Ravel’s writing steams ahead with melodic richness, rhythmic drive, and jazz-inflected verve. MSO.LIVE brings you this energizing performance from the Season Finale Gala 2022 under Jaime Martín.