Histoires naturelles

[2] The five songs are: Of the poems Ravel said, "the direct, clear language and the profound, hidden poetry of Jules Renard's works tempted me for a long time."

Renard recorded in his diary: M. Ravel, the composer of Histoires naturelles, dark, rich, and elegant, urges me to go and hear his songs tonight.

"[4]The premiere caused controversy, creating a divide between those who regarded the music as an affront and those who appreciated its populist style.

[7] Even Ravel's former teacher and supporter Gabriel Fauré was not happy with the work, though his disapproval was more of the verses than of his protégé's music.

[10] Johnson also quotes Vuillermoz's recollections of Ravel's own vocal mannerism of letting his voice fall a fourth or fifth at the end of a phrase – which occurs in many places in both Histoires naturelles and his contemporary opera L'heure espagnole.