Ravel's masterful ballet music *Daphnis et Chloé*

Ravel’s most ambitious composition,*Daphnis et Chloé*, is a “symphonie chorégraphique” for a massive orchestra and chorus, a ballet in which the dances flow seamlessly into one another. This sweeping musical fresco brings to life the Greece of Ravel’s dreams.

Ravel’s masterful ballet music *
* is Maurice Ravel’s most ambitious composition: a “symphonie chorégraphique” for a massive orchestra and chorus, a ballet in which the dances flow seamlessly into one another. This sweeping musical fresco brings to life the Greece of his dreams. Today, the rare complete version is performed, including a wordless chorus. With its compelling lyricism, beautiful evocation of nature, and kaleidoscopic orchestration, it is a masterpiece of the highest order.

Daphnis et Chloé
The balletDaphnis et Chloéis 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 speak a word of French, and I can only swear in Russian,” Ravel remarked. The two also clashed on artistic matters. The result, however, was a huge success. Igor Stravinsky, who was not usually generous with compliments, called it “not only Ravel’s best work, but also one of the most beautiful products of French music.”