Track Listing

1. Introduction et Danse religieuse
2. Scène - Danse générale
3. Danse grotesque de Dorcon - Scène
4. Danse légére et gracieuse de Daphnis
5. Scène - Danse de Lycéion - Scène (les pirates)
6. Scène - Danse lente et mystérieuse
7. Introduction
8. Danse querrière
9. Scène - Danse suppliante de Chloé
10. Lever du jour - Scène
11. Daphnis et Chloé miment L'aventure de Pan et de Syeinx
12. Danse générale

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #92523 in Music
• Released on: 1999-09-14
• Number of discs: 1

Customer Reviews

Superb Performances at A Bargain
It was the the first installment of the celebrated Montreal/Dutoit Ravel cycle - Daphnis et Chloe - that propelled the Montreal Symphony of the early 1980's into the international limelight. The remainder of the cycle confirmed the promise of the initial release, which was that these would be the digital era's state-of-the art Ravel recordings both interpretively and sonically .

At every turn, the Montreal Symphony astonishes with its virtuosity. In every passage, Dutoit finds something new and valuable in this very familiar music. And the engineering is stupendous - this is the closest we may ever come to having a great orchestra performing in our (temporarily resonant) living room.

This easily qualifies as a "desert island" recording, and at a price that's truly a steal. Even the liner notes are unusually informative, providing fascinating insight into how Montreal became a part of the Decca/London orbit, and ultimately how these wonderful recordings were made.

A shimmering haze of sound
This "Daphnis," now an unbelievable 20 years old, was a landmark recording in the short history of compact discs, and still holds its own among many fine versions available. The magic appears in the opening bars and never stops throughout this ravishingly beautiful disc. The score's intricacy and colors are exactly suited to Dutoit's strengths, as well as those of the glittering Orchestre Symphonique de Montreal. The end of the ballet also showcases the outstanding Montreal chorus, surging forward with power and precision.

The "Pavane" and "La Valse" are equally impressive, the latter building to a shatteringly satisfying conclusion. To my ears, Dutoit and Montreal are virtually unsurpassed in this repertoire, notwithstanding outstanding versions over the years by Andre Cluytens, Charles Munch, Claudio Abbado and others.

A technical note: Decca has improved on the original issue of "Daphnis" by helpfully dividing the piece into twelve tracks. (The original CD was, amazingly, a single track.)

Landmark recording
As another reviewer mentioned, this 1980 recording was a landmark digital recording of a major orchestral work. But more than that, it was and still is an amazing interpretation of this often shortened and over performed work. Yes, Charles Munch and Pierre Monteux were masters of interpreting Ravel's work, but Dutoit and his forces took great advantage of the digital recording technology of the time, and brought out the diaphanous and intricate orchestration that is in the score. The playing is impeccable, and the rousing Pirate Dance is thrilling. Along with the other Ravel recordings that the Montreal Symphony did at that time (including the 2 piano concertos), any lover of Impressionistic music and Ravel should have these recordings.