Search - Ravel :: Daphnis Et Chloe

Splendid Recording of Ravel's Daphnis et Chloe courtesy of H

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 04/28/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This surprisingly overlooked, if not underrated, recording of Maurice Ravel's entire "Daphnis et Chloe" ballet score, is noteworthy not only for being one of the best recordings ever made of this work, but it is also Bernard Haitink's very first with the Boston Symphony Orchestra; the sole American orchestra that he's been most closely associated with for more than two decades (Indeed for most of this time, it was the only American orchestra he worked with, culminating in a successful European tour which he led them on earlier this decade.). Haitink offers a glowing, swift interpretation, drenched in ample Impressionist orchestral textures. Both the Tanglewood Festival Chorus's ethereal vocals and Doriot Anthony Dwyer's exquisite flute solos are among the musical highlights of this fine recording, which I believe should be regarded as among the definitive ones of Ravel's ballet score, and among the few offered in its entirety. Without question this is an elegant, captivating treasure from Philips which deserves more attention from potential customers, especially fans of Ravel's music, conductor Bernard Haitink and the Boston Symphony Orchestra."