This month, many classical music lovers noted Maurice Ravel’s 150th birthday. On Monday, March 31, Quatuor Debussy pairs Ravel’s music with the composer whose name it carries in celebration of both composers. The program includes Claude Debussy’s Préludes and Ravel’s Ma Mére l’Oye and String Quartet in F major.

“This program is entirely dedicated to two of the greatest French composers who are emblematic of the early 20th-century French artistic movements, especially Impressionism. Each of these works showcases, in its own way, the full range of the French musical palette, from the most delicate sounds to the most powerful,” said Quatuor Debussy’s first violinist Christophe Collette. “It’s always a joy to bring Ravel’s music to life in America, a country that fascinated him, particularly for the musical innovations he discovered here.”

The French-based quartet begins the concert with a nod to its mentor, Debussy.

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“(He) only gave us one official string quartet in 1893. So, we decided to create a second one ourselves by transcribing four of his piano preludes: Bruyères, Minstrels, Footsteps in the Snow and Alternating Thirds. We believe these transcriptions bring an added layer of refined textures to his music,” Collette said.

As for Ravel, Ma Mère l’Oye (Mother Goose) attracted the quartet with its simplicity of writing.

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“Ravel himself orchestrated a second version of this work, so it felt natural to imagine a third — halfway between the two — for string quartet,” he said. “As for Ravel’s string quartet from 1903, it is probably the masterpiece of French chamber music. It always leaves us wishing he had written more for our ensemble, just as Debussy did.”

He describes any quartet as “a delicate balance of four personalities serving a shared interpretation.”

“It’s a true four-way dialogue, where each player must find the right position — not too far forward, but not withdrawn either. Everyone brings their own unique touch, and together we channel a collective energy that we offer to the audience. The result should be a blend of unity and distinct individual voices that take turns expressing themselves,” he said.

Formed 35 years ago, Quatuor Debussy has constantly sought new ways to share its passion.

“This can take the form, as it does tonight, of working on transcriptions, exploring other musical worlds, or collaborating with artists from other disciplines,” he said. “These varied experiences allow us to perform almost any kind of music, in nearly any setting, while always maintaining the same high artistic standards.”

He believes a concert is about sharing — in this case, the love for French music, “rich in poetry and sonic beauty, and (with) a deep admiration for two composers who represent an incredibly creative period where the arts were in constant dialogue with one another,” he said.

The quartet’s values of sharing extend to collaborations with artists in other fields, such as dance, theater, modern music and even digital arts. The musicians also host workshops and outreach programs for various demographics, including the elderly and prisoners.

“When we create a performance with a company from another artistic field, we reflect on the musical dramaturgy and aim for a cohesive, meaningful program. Over time, the interpretation is enriched not only by the composer’s message, but also by those of choreographers, stage directors and others,” he said. “Eventually, the music becomes part of a broader scenic atmosphere, merging into a unified artistic experience.”