Ravel’s Enigma: Was his ‘Bolero’ a result of his neurodegenerative disease?

Maurice Ravel, one of the greatest European composers of the early 20^th century, famous for his masterpiece, the Bolero, suffered from an undefined progressive neurological degenerative disease which gradually deprived him from his ability to express his music. He was subjected to craniotomy, shortly after which he passed away. Following the notes of his doctor, neurologist Theophile Alajouanine, on how his musical abilities were affected many researchers have proposed multiple degenerative diseases as diagnostic explanations for Ravel’s course of neurological deterioration. Most researchers have come to support diagnoses that fall into Pick’s disease spectrum. Our presentation briefly presents the data on Ravel’s clinical condition, the main views on his possible diagnosis and the possibility of his Bolero being the result of his disease.