Ravels meesterlijke balletmuziek Daphnis et Chloé

Ravel's masterful ballet music

Maurice Ravel's most ambitious composition is a 'symphonie choreographique' for enormous orchestra and choir, a ballet in which dances flow into one another. This sweeping musical fresco gives voice to the Greece of his dreams. Today, the rare complete version is performed, including a wordless choir. With its compelling lyricism, beautiful depictions of nature, and kaleidoscopic orchestration, it is a masterpiece of the highest caliber.

Daphnis and Chloe

The ballet Daphnis et Chloé is based on a second-century Greek novel about the shepherd Daphnis and the shepherdess Chloé, who fall in love. Chloé is kidnapped by pirates but rescued by the god Pan, after which the two lovers are reunited. For the creation of the ballet, Ravel collaborated with the great Russian choreographer Michel Fokine. That collaboration did not go smoothly: "Fokine doesn't know a word of French, and I can only swear in Russian," said Ravel. The two also clashed on an artistic level. The result, however, was a tremendous success. Igor Stravinsky, normally not generous with compliments, called it "not only Ravel's best work, but also one of the most beautiful products of French music."