Ravel's Close to the Edge?

[Ash]

Hi all,

I wonder if the nature sounds, water, bird-song and the rest, at the beginning and end of 'Close to the Edge' were inspired by the dawn sequence on Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe ballet. I love that piece. It's up there with The Firebird and The Rite of Spring for me. It has to be the full length version though, with the wordless chorus, which also reminds me of the wordless vocalisations before the lyrics come in CTTE. Ravel's melodic transformations at that point aren't a million miles away from the tonal landscape that CTTE inhabits either. Or maybe it's just my inner ears playing tricks on me. Since certainly Jon and other members of the band were listening to Sibelius a lot at that time (oh that glorious second symphony, not to mention the finale of the fifth!!!) it's not unreasonable to suppose that Ravel's masterpiece found friendly ears on which to fall back then.
On a tangential thought: does Ravel's Bolero have only a coincidental similarity with Chris's bass climb at the beginning of 'Heart of the Sunrise'?


I (mischievously) wonder. Any thoughts out there?

All best wishes,

Ash

[ToBeOver]

I love Maurice Ravel, but I'm not familiar with his Daphnis et Chloe ballet that you're referring to. I am familiar with Ravel's, Bolero and I have often wondered myself if that bass climb in 'Heart of the Sunrise' was drawn from there. I simply love the crescendos in Bolero... the slow build-up and then the masterfully exquisite finale... absolutely breathtaking.

Hope you get more feedback about your CTTE question... I would be interested to know the answer myself.

:keyboard:

[Starless]

I love Maurice Ravel, but I'm not familiar with his Daphnis et Chloe ballet that you're referring to. I am familiar with Ravel's, Bolero and I have often wondered myself if that bass climb in 'Heart of the Sunrise' was drawn from there. I simply love the crescendos in Bolero... the slow build-up and then the masterfully exquisite finale... absolutely breathtaking.

Hope you get more feedback about your CTTE question... I would be interested to know the answer myself.

:keyboard:
The same feeling. '' Heart of the sunrise'' has the same tuning structure conception as ''Close to the edge''. when you listen to it you always think: '' I've already heard it somewhere !'' And Maurice Ravel the first who comes on your mind !

[Dreama]

I think Close To The Edge is my favorite album. :D

[BrianD]

I think Close To The Edge is my favorite album. :D

Same here! And welcome to Yesfans Dreama!

[True Believer]

I think Close To The Edge is my favorite album. :D
And me! Hi Dreama!

[Dreama]

Thanks to both of you. :D I was a little surprised to find so many people that still follow a band that isnt really active any more.But the music is timeless and beautiful and I find myself drawn back into it constantly.

[Starless]

Thanks to both of you. :D I was a little surprised to find so many people that still follow a band that isnt really active any more.But the music is timeless and beautiful and I find myself drawn back into it constantly.

So it's timeless until it lives in your heart !!!