Composer: Maurice Ravel
Performer: Spirito
Orchestra: Orchestre National de Lyon
Conductor: Leonard Slatkin
Format: FLAC (tracks)
Label: Naxos
Catalogue: 8573545
Release: 2017
Size: 251 MB
Recovery: +3%
Scan: yes
Daphnis et Chloé, M. 57
01. Part I: Introduction
02. Part I: Danse religieuse
03. Part I: Danse des jeunes filles – Danse des jeunes gens – Danse générale
04. Part I: Daphnis s’approche
05. Part I: Danse grotesque de Dorcon
06. Part I: Danse légère et gracieuse de Daphnis
07. Part I: Danse de Lyceion – Enlèvement de Chloé
08. Part I: Nocturne
09. Part I: Danse lente et mystérieuse des Nymphes
10. Part II: Interlude
11. Part II: Danse guerrière
12. Part II: Danse suppliante de Chloé
13. Part III: Lever du jour
14. Part III: Pantomime
15. Part III: Danse générale
Miroirs
16. No. 3. Une barque sur l’océan (version for orchestra)
The fourth installment in Leonard Slatkin’s series on Naxos of the orchestral works of Maurice Ravel features the complete 1912 ballet Daphnis et Chloé and the tone poem Une barque sur l’océan in spectacular performances by the Orchestre National de Lyon. Daphnis et Chloé is widely regarded as Ravel’s masterpiece, and the shimmering orchestration and lush harmonies that epitomize impressionism are lovingly rendered by Slatkin and the French orchestra. While Daphnis et Chloé is most often presented as two suites for orchestra, this 2015 performance also includes the atmospheric choral parts, sung by Spirito, a body consisting of the Choruses and Soloists of Lyon and the Britten Chorus. The sumptuous scoring and seductive melodies that made Daphnis et Chloé one of Ravel’s most beloved works are also at play in Une barque sur l’océan, Ravel’s dazzling orchestral version of the third piece in his piano suite, Miroirs. The depiction of a small boat riding the surging waves is brilliantly captured, and the glistening timbres of woodwinds, harp, and strings convey the sea spray quite effectively. Naxos provides remarkably clear and deep sound, so the finer points of Ravel’s scores are easily heard.