Search - Various :: Ravel: Daphnis Et Chloe, Sheherazade

For the time being.....

Grady Harp | Los Angeles, CA United States | 04/04/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Few orchestras afford the luxury to audiences of performing the Complete Ballet Score of Maurice Ravel's DAPHNIS ET CHLOE, and surprisingly even fewer recordings of the complete score are available (many recordings of the Suite No. 2 with or without chorus are still on the available lists). This recording with Leonard Bernstein conducting the New York Philharmonic was first issued many years ago with only the DAPHNIS ET CHLOE as the single work. In this re-issue Bernstein also conducts the Orchestre National de France with the radiant Marilyn Horne in a performance of the Ravel SHEHERAZADE from 1978. Nothing has been lost from the original and much has been gained by exhuming the fine old recording by Horne.



Many will question the selection of Bernstein's passionate interpretation of the DAPHNIS ET CHLOE, preferring the even older and perhaps more 'French' sounding Monteux, Munch, Cluytens, Ansermet, or the newer Boulez, Dutoit, and even Previn and Maazel recordings. But for sheer majesty of concept and lush, sensuous, excitingly dramatic sound, this listener returns to the Bernstein heart-on-the-sleeve approach. The orchestral sound is well presented, the long solo flute/clarinet/oboe etc solos are superbly played, and the Schola Cantorum offers a splendid wordless atmosphere of choral enhancement that is such a central part to Ravel's original intent (the choral parts are often excluded from the more often performed and recorded Suites 1 and 2).



Unfortunately this recording is only variably available: it is expensive, but worth the price. But there is another new possible Ravel experience in the wings, one that hopefully will be recorded soon! Gustavo Dudamel is currently conducting the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the Pacific Chorale in the complete Ravel ballet and the result is one of intoxicating, sensuous, technically brilliant and emotionally fulfilling, seemingly 'first hearings' of this wondrous score. Dudamel is demonstrating that he understands the French repertoire well. We can only hope a CD will be forthcoming! Grady Harp, April 08"