Pavane pour une infante défunte little princess might, in former times, have danced at the Spanish court". The pavane was a slow processional dance that enjoyed great popularity in the courts of Europe during the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. This antique miniature is not meant to pay tribute to any particular princess from history, but rather expresses a nostalgic enthusiasm for Spanish customs and sensibilities, which Ravel shared with many of his contemporaries (most notably Debussy and Albéniz) and which is evident in some of his other works such as the "Rapsodie espagnole" and the "Boléro". Ravel dedicated the "Pavane" to his patron, the Princesse
Pavane (Fauré) Oh mortal insult! The cadence is less slow! And the fall more certain! We'll make them sing a different tune! We will soon be their running dogs! They are ugly! Dear little face! They are madmen! (Quaint airs and tunes!) And it is always the same, and so forever! We love! We hate ! We curse our loves! Farewell Myrtille, Egle, Chloe, mocking demons! Farewell and good day to the tyrants of our hearts! And a good day! The BBC used the "Pavane" for their coverage of the 1998 FIFA World Cup. Norma Ray sampled "Pavane" for use in her