Asie

Asie (FR) Asia. Ravel's setting (1903, Schéhérazade #1) for voice and orchestra (or piano) of the 19th poem from the first section (called the »premier livre« [first book]) of Schéhérazade (1902) by Klingsor. Ravel changes the word pipe ((FR) pipe, [slang: penis]) in line 49 to tasse ((FR), cup). According to baritone Martial Singher (1904 – 1990), Ravel found even the mere possibility of the double meaning too risky, not to mention the improbablility of having the female singer of the premiere…