Ravel at the Grand Canyon

After leaving Houston Ravel spent two nights on the train taking him to Phoenix, Arizona, and from there he was taken to see the spectacle of the Grand Canyon for two days (10-11? April 1928). He was deeply impressed by it, and would frequently talk about it after his return to France. He sent letters and postcards about it to his friends:

“Voici l’avant-derrière étape: une excursion de 10 jours dont 6 en chemin de fer. Ma ça vaudrait la peine de traverser l’Océan rien que pour le voir.” (Postcard to Hélène Kahn-Casella, 14 April 1928).

“Le 17^me siècle lui-même aurait aimé ces montagnes qui sont plutôt des constructions gigantesques et harmonieuses. Et ce splendide ‘Désert peint’ où les plésiosaures et les ptérodactyles ont laissé la trace de leurs pas!” (Letter to Roland-Manuel, 14 April 1928).

The remainder of his excursion consisted of a further four nights on the train as he travelled to Buffalo for his next recital. (Chalupt [1956] p.233).