In the early 1920s, French composer, conductor and pianist Maurice Ravel (1875-1937) thought it was time for a tour. No, not as a pianist but as a conductor of his own works. He had a busy touring schedule ahead of him, as he could be found from Sweden to Spain and from Canada to Italy. The Residentie Orkest also managed to snare him. During a specially organized Ravel Festival, the composer made his appearance at Theater Diligentia on October 31, 1923.

Before intermission Mahler's entire (!) Fifth Symphony sounded with chief conductor Van Anrooy at the baton, followed by two works conducted by Ravel: the Suite "Ma Mère l'Oye," based on the fairy tales of Mother the Goose, and the colorful La Valse. Although Ravel's music was certainly not unknown in The Hague, the astonished reviewer of the Algemeen Handelsblad had no choice but to "delve into and drink in the superhuman beauty of the Ravel orchestra, with all its marvelous colors, suggestive melodic lines, dream glories that have become real, magical workings and delights... We must humbly confess to being too "defeated" to compile a normal "report.'

After the concert, Ravel was photographed: (from left to right) concertmaster Sam Swaap, conductor Peter van Anrooy, Maurice Ravel, violist Jean Devert, cellist Charles van Isterdael, violinist Adolphe Poth and impresario Geza de Koos.