A Dictionary of Music and Musicians/Ravina, Jean Henri

RAVINA, Jean Henri, a pianoforte composer, was born May 20, 1818, at Bourdeaux, where his mother was a prominent musician. At the instance of Rode and Zimmermann the lad was admitted to the Conservatoire of Paris in 1831. His progress was rapid 2nd prize for PF. in 1832; 1st prize for the same in 1834; 1st for harmony and accompaniment in 1835, a joint professorship of PF. Nov. 1835. In Feb. 1837 he left the Conservatoire and embarked on the world as a virtuoso and teacher. He has resided exclusively at Paris, with the exception of a journey to Russia in 1853, and Spain in 1871. He received the Legion of Honour in 1861. His compositions of which the latest is Op. 80—are almost all salon pieces, many of them very favourite in their time, graceful and effective, but with no permanent qualities. He has also published a 4-hand arrangement of Beethoven's nine symphonies. Ravina is still living in Paris. The above sketch is indebted to M. Pougin's supplement to Fétis.

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