Ravel's string quartet: The locrian natural 9 mode

In this excerpt , the harmony is Fm7(b5) .

Ravel uses ine VIth mode of Ab melodic minor (F locrian natural 9).

The melodic material is taken from one the themes of the beginning of the piece and is played by the 1st violin and the cello.

The 2nd violin plays this mode extensively too.

In jazz, this mode is widely used by musicians, whether it be on a IIm7(b5)/ V7/ Im or in a "modal" context.

Maurice Ravel - String Quartet in F major

Composer: Joseph-Maurice Ravel (7 March 1875 -- 28 December 1937) - Performers: Alban Berg Quartett - Year of recording: 1984 String quartet in F major, written in 1903. 00:00 - I. Allegro moderato

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieRQyyPowH0&feature=youtu.be&t=3m8s