--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead…" description: "\"Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!\" — Maurice Ravel" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg" --- # Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and… ![“Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!” quote by Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg) > “Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!” [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. A playful reminder that the creator’s intent matters more than the subject’s identity. **In simple terms:** Focus on who creates, not just what is created. Key Takeaway Consider the perspective behind artistic works. Themes art perspective intentionality Mood thoughtful inquisitive Type analytical literary When to use this quote - music criticism - art education - interpretive analysis Key Concepts musicology creative process Questions to Reflect On - What does the creator’s intention reveal about the work? - How does perspective shift meaning? A Different Perspective May overlook the value of the subject itself. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Princess](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/princess/) ## Related quotes > [I write down everything I want to remember. That way, instead of spending a lot of time trying to remember what it is I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/beryl-pfizer/i-write-down-everything-i-want-to-remember-that-way-instead-of/) Beryl Pfizer > [I remember when I wrote a piece, "Blood on the Fields," it was a while ago, it was about slavery and about two characters,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wynton-marsalis/i-remember-when-i-wrote-a-piece-blood-on-the-fields-it-was-a-while/) [Wynton Marsalis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wynton-marsalis/) > [ She \[Justice sandra Day O'Connor\] wrote - and this is one we should all remember - she wrote that even war is not a… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patrick-leahy/she-justice-sandra-day-o-connor-wrote-and-this-is-one-we-should-all/) [Patrick Leahy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patrick-leahy/) > [“Make 'em remember what you wrote.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-blaine-kirkpatrick/make-em-remember-what-you-wrote/) [Joel Blaine Kirkpatrick](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-blaine-kirkpatrick/) > [I remember when I wrote songs when I was about 16, they all sounded the same because I didn't know anything. And all the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gin-wigmore/i-remember-when-i-wrote-songs-when-i-was-about-16-they-all-sounded/) [Gin Wigmore](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gin-wigmore/) > [Every song brings back memories, like I remember where I wrote all these songs. 'Universal Heartbeat' was my apartment in New York City. 'My…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/juliana-hatfield/every-song-brings-back-memories-like-i-remember-where-i-wrote-all/) [Juliana Hatfield](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/juliana-hatfield/) > [I can barely remember what I wrote yesterday, let alone 10 years ago.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-sullivan/i-can-barely-remember-what-i-wrote-yesterday-let-alone-10-years-ago/) [Andrew Sullivan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-sullivan/) > [I can't remember anything I ever wrote.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joni-mitchell/i-can-t-remember-anything-i-ever-wrote/) [Joni Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joni-mitchell/) > [That's wisdom you can take to the grave, and dig up when you need it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/that-s-wisdom-you-can-take-to-the-grave-and-dig-up-when-you-need-it/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/man-is-a-noble-animal-splendid-in-ashes-and-pompous-in-the-grave/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [“I've never written a quote I feel would be suitable for my gravestone. Wouldn't it be ironic if it were this one? 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Anthony must be turning in her grave if she knew that millions of women who have the right to vote are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-m-kunin/susan-b-anthony-must-be-turning-in-her-grave-if-she-knew-that/) [Madeleine M. Kunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-m-kunin/) ## More by Maurice Ravel > [The only love affair I have ever had was with music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/the-only-love-affair-i-have-ever-had-was-with-music/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [We should always remember that sensitiveness and emotion constitute the real content of a work of art](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/we-should-always-remember-that-sensitiveness-and-emotion-constitute/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [My intention here is to make it clear that not a single cell of my composition, here in regard to The Raven, is found…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/my-intention-here-is-to-make-it-clear-that-not-a-single-cell-of-my/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [Why become a second-rate Ravel when you're already a first-rate Gershwin?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/why-become-a-second-rate-ravel-when-you-re-already-a-first-rate/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [“Does it not occur to people that I might be artificial by nature?”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/does-it-not-occur-to-people-that-i-might-be-artificial-by-nature/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [I begin by considering an effect.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/i-begin-by-considering-an-effect/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [I did my work slowly, drop by drop. I tore it out of me by pieces.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/i-did-my-work-slowly-drop-by-drop-i-tore-it-out-of-me-by-pieces/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [I am not one of the great composers. All the great have produced enormously. There is everything in their work - the best and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/i-am-not-one-of-the-great-composers-all-the-great-have-produced/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [Tell me that not everything I wrote was bad.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/tell-me-that-not-everything-i-wrote-was-bad/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [To George Gershwin, on refusinghim as a pupil: You would only lose the spontaneous quality of your melody, and end by writing bad Ravel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/to-george-gershwin-on-refusinghim-as-a-pupil-you-would-only-lose-the/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [For Debussy the musician and the man I have had profound admiration, but by nature I'm different from him. I think I have always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/for-debussy-the-musician-and-the-man-i-have-had-profound-admiration/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [You might lose your spontaneity and, instead of composing first-rate Gershwin, end up with second rate Ravel.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/you-might-lose-your-spontaneity-and-instead-of-composing-first-rate/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [In fact, the influence of Schoenberg may be overwhelming on his followers, but the significance of his art is to be identified with influences…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/in-fact-the-influence-of-schoenberg-may-be-overwhelming-on-his/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [If he'd been making shell-cases during the war it might have been better for music.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/if-he-d-been-making-shell-cases-during-the-war-it-might-have-been/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) > [I do not ask for my music to be interpreted, but only for it to be played.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/i-do-not-ask-for-my-music-to-be-interpreted-but-only-for-it-to-be/) [Maurice Ravel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) [Explore all 17 Maurice Ravel quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/) ## More Grave quotes > [Susan B. Anthony must be turning in her grave if she knew that millions of women who have the right to vote are not…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madeleine-m-kunin/susan-b-anthony-must-be-turning-in-her-grave-if-she-knew-that/) [Madeleine M. Kunin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madeleine-m-kunin/) > [“If Abraham Lincoln were alive now, he'd roll over in his grave.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gerald-ford/if-abraham-lincoln-were-alive-now-he-d-roll-over-in-his-grave/) [Gerald Ford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gerald-ford/) > [Leisure without study is death, and the grave of a living man.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/leisure-without-study-is-death-and-the-grave-of-a-living-man/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [“within yourself, you became a grave for her as you were a grave for Chet, and you carried your dead unquietly within you. —”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wallace-stegner/within-yourself-you-became-a-grave-for-her-as-you-were-a-grave-for/) [Wallace Stegner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wallace-stegner/) > [“I've never written a quote I feel would be suitable for my gravestone. Wouldn't it be ironic if it were this one? Oh, and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ryan-lilly/i-ve-never-written-a-quote-i-feel-would-be-suitable-for-my-gravestone/) [Ryan Lilly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ryan-lilly/) > [Man is a noble animal, splendid in ashes, and pompous in the grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-browne/man-is-a-noble-animal-splendid-in-ashes-and-pompous-in-the-grave/) [Thomas Browne](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-browne/) > [That's wisdom you can take to the grave, and dig up when you need it!](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/neal-shusterman/that-s-wisdom-you-can-take-to-the-grave-and-dig-up-when-you-need-it/) [Neal Shusterman](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/neal-shusterman/) > [You can run from the grave, but you can't hide.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jeaniene-frost/you-can-run-from-the-grave-but-you-can-t-hide/) [Jeaniene Frost](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jeaniene-frost/) > [I always thought I'd like my own tombstone to be blank. No epitaph, and no name. Well, actually, I'd like it to say 'figment.'](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andy-warhol/i-always-thought-i-d-like-my-own-tombstone-to-be-blank-no-epitaph-and/) [Andy Warhol](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andy-warhol/) > [If you get yourself killed, I'll find your grave and spit on it," she threatened.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/julie-garwood/if-you-get-yourself-killed-i-ll-find-your-grave-and-spit-on-it-she/) [Julie Garwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/julie-garwood/) > [“Some people die and you realize that the only mark they left on earth are the tomb stones under which they lie. The impacts…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/israelmore-ayivor/some-people-die-and-you-realize-that-the-only-mark-they-left-on-earth/) [Israelmore Ayivor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/israelmore-ayivor/) > [The job of the government - and my responsibility - is to help people live healthier lives. The framework is about giving local authorities…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-lansley/the-job-of-the-government-and-my-responsibility-is-to-help-people/) [Andrew Lansley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-lansley/) > [“Why, man, he doth bestride the narrow world Like a Colossus; and we petty men Walk under his huge legs, and peep about To…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/william-shakespeare/why-man-he-doth-bestride-the-narrow-world-like-a-colossus-and-we/) [William Shakespeare](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/william-shakespeare/) > [If I'm taking a picture of Brancusi's grave, I know that there's something of him, of his mortal remains, beneath my feet, and there's…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/patti-smith/if-i-m-taking-a-picture-of-brancusi-s-grave-i-know-that-there-s/) [Patti Smith](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/patti-smith/) > [Keep digging, Flynn. Six feet makes a grave.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/devon-monk/keep-digging-flynn-six-feet-makes-a-grave/) [Devon Monk](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/devon-monk/) Browse all 723 Grave quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!", "creator": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Maurice Ravel" }, "isPartOf": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website" }, "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dead-princess-and-not-a-dead/", "about": { "@type": "Thing", "name": "Grave" }, "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dead-princess-and-not-a-dead/#quotation", "image": { "@type": "ImageObject", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg", "contentUrl": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/a19/maurice-ravel-30757_princess_remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dea_1998941.jpg", "width": 1080, "height": 1080, "caption": "“Remember that I wrote a pavane for a dead princess, and not a dead pavane for a princess!” — Maurice Ravel", "creditText": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "creator": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } } }, { "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Quotes", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "Maurice Ravel", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maurice-ravel/" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 4, "name": "Remember that I wrote a pavane...", "item": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dead-princess-and-not-a-dead/" } ], "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maurice-ravel/remember-that-i-wrote-a-pavane-for-a-dead-princess-and-not-a-dead/#breadcrumb" }, { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#website", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "publisher": { "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization" } }, { "@type": "Organization", "@id": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/#organization", "name": "SMS4Smile Quotes", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/", "logo": { "@type": "ImageObject", "url": "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wp-content/themes/sq/assets/icons/icon-512.png", "width": 512, "height": 512 } } ] } ```