I have to say, this is my absolute favourite single piece of music I couldn't not live without. Both in recording and in full score. It is perfection, in my humble opinion.
I own several recordings of it:
London Symphony -
Berlin Philharmonic -
City of Bermingham -
Bordeaux Aquitaine -
Bratislava (old CSSR) -
Ulster Orchestra -
Gawd, I need a life. Anyone else got multiple editions? Of this wonderful ballet?
I have only one recording of it.Simon Rattle with City of Birmingham Orchestra which i think you already mentioned.
I have the Dutoit, which is widely regarded (at least in my house!) as perfect.
I was also in Darmstadt in 72, when this was being given at the Frankfurt Ballet. I must have seen it three or four times, one of those because Stravinsky's L'histoire had been cancelled.
I saw the latter in Paris a couple of years ago, though. Talk about perfection. L'histoire du Soldat is all of that.
Originally Posted by Contratrombone64
CT64; you do know that this is my second fav all time piece (after Debussy's La Mer,) no? I've posted my love for it all over these boards.I absolutely adore it. Daphnis, and La Valse are Ravel's greatest masterpieces, imo.
I couldn't afford multiple recordings even if I wanted to, but I have heard numerous versions over the years via radio, tv, YT, and the one I have (the Dutoit, like someguy,) still reigns supreme imo. I have to agree with someguy; that it is perfect.
One doesn't need a life when one can listen to Ravel's Daphnis, La Valse and Debussy's La Mer, imo. Although I must admit, I can't listen to these works too often, because they are so emotionally draining for me. But I treasure them, and would never want to be without them. Every time I hear them, I am more convinced that there is nothing finer, richer, better that one can listen to in this world. And I've heard them a lot.
Sometimes I'm tempted to say Daphnis is my fav all time, sometimes La Valse. But these are assuredly my top three favs, and have been for many, many years. Nothing I've heard has budged these three out of the top three spots, and I know now that nothing ever will. And I'm fine with that.
(Btw, for La Mer, I prefer the old Munch, Boston S. O. recording.)
Check out the Ravel quote in my siggie...
''Music, I feel, should be emotional first and intellectual second.'' - Maurice Ravel
''The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.'' - Michael Jackson
Rojo - thanks for your comments (and everyone else's): I have to agree by adding La Valse and La Mer ...
The quote by Ravel noting that music should be emotional first,intellectual second,is very interesting since Ravel was considered an impressionist not a romantic.He,however,considered music very emotive which is in line with my own personal taste for music that "boils the blood",conjures up every conceivable emotion possible in life. Needless to say,I am a Mahlerite,who said writing a symphony is like creating an entire world.The preceding have been thoughts of my own on how I personally judge music,while respecting others feelings as well.So,long live music that stirs the soul,tugs the heartstrings,and may even make one shed a tear or two.Thank you. Zoned.
Mahler? for me is long-winded, tedious and boring, but that's totally personal and not a criticism. Ravel susinct, enchanting and riveting.
Seeing as you brought up this piece, CT64, I hope you don't mind me posting my fav Daphnis videos. See, this is the sort of thing YT is good for...
Charles Munch: excerpts from Debussy's La Mer with the Boston Symphony, 1962 and excerpts from Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé; rehearsal with the Hungarian State Orchestra, 1966.
The La Mer excerpts will give an idea of how great the Munch/Boston S. recording that I have, is. I would be curious to hear Munch conduct Daphnis with the Boston S.; I think Boston would be a tighter orchestra than the Hung. State. That's the nice thing about Dutoit's Daphnis; it's got all the tempi and dynamics I like and it's extremely tight. Hard to find an orchestra that's tighter than the MSO under Dutoit.
+ YouTube Video
Dorian Wilson: I have no idea what orchestra this is; I guess I could look it up. Anyway, too bad this one doesn't start at the beginning. And no chorus in this one.
+ YouTube Video
I can always tell if I like a performance of Daphnis from that opening crescendo; the bigger the better!
There just aren't enough superlatives to describe how fantastic this music is.
A two piano transcription! (Just found this. Interesting.) Part 1
Edit- The opening crescendo isn't big enough. But this isn't too bad; better than I thought it would be anyway.
Edit 2- Say, this is pretty damn good!
+ YouTube Video
Part 2
+ YouTube Video
I agree with this completely. And nothing moves me more than these three pieces. Nothing.
Last edited by rojo; May-06-2008 at 07:19.
''Music, I feel, should be emotional first and intellectual second.'' - Maurice Ravel
''The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.'' - Michael Jackson
*falls over and dribbles all over the floor* @ rojo
*hands CT64 a mop...*
''Music, I feel, should be emotional first and intellectual second.'' - Maurice Ravel
''The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.'' - Michael Jackson
LOL @ rojo
WOW - Cool transcription of Daphnis et Chloe.
Indeed...
''Music, I feel, should be emotional first and intellectual second.'' - Maurice Ravel
''The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.'' - Michael Jackson
Hi Ms. RoJo,
I take it that you are a "Ravel-ite"? Which of his solo piano pieces sings to your heart most of all? I am always intrigued by "Gaspard de la Nuit" - To the point of being ravished
Cheers,
CD
Hi CD,
Well, a 'Ravel-ite' and as well a 'Debussy-an' (?
''Music, I feel, should be emotional first and intellectual second.'' - Maurice Ravel
''The greatest education in the world is watching the masters at work.'' - Michael Jackson
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