Maurice Ravel (1875-1937)

 

Daphnis et Chloe'

 

Part I
01 - Introduction - Sacred Dance
02 - The young girls attract Daphnis's attention and surround him with their dancing - General dance
03 - Grotesque dance (Dorcon)
04 - Light and graceful dance (Daphnis)
05 - All invite Daphnis to receive the prize - Lyceion's dance
06 - The clash of arms is heard, warlike cries draw nearer... Women cross the stage, pursued by pirates... Mad with despair, Daphnis curses the gods who have failed to protect the young girl Chloe, and falls fainting at the entrance to the grotto.
07 - A strange light envelops the countryside... Slow, mysterious dance... The three Nymphs invoke the god Pan... Daphnis bows down in supplication. The light grows dim.
08 - Interlude

 

Part II
The pirate camp
09 - Bryaxis calls for the captured girl to be brought forward. Chloe, her hands tied is dragged in by two pirates. Chloe dances beseechingly.
10 - Bryaxis tries to bear her away... But the pirate chief carries her off in triumph... Suddenly the air seems charged with strange forces... The earth opens up... The fearsome shadow of Pan is silhouetted against the mountains. They all flee in panic.

 

Part III
11 - Daybreak
12 - The old shepherd Lammon explains that, if Pan has saved Chloe, it is in memory of the nymph Syrinx, once beloved of the god. Their strory is mimed by Daphnis and Chloe.*
13 - Before the altar of the Nymphs he swears eternal fidelity over two ewes... Enter a group of girls dressed as baccahantes...
Daphnis and Chloe embrace tenderly... Tumultuous joy
General dance.

14 - Bole'ro

*Kevin Gowland flute
City of Birmingham Symphony Chorus
(Chorus Master Simon Halsey)
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
conducted by Sir Simon Rattle

Recorded
XII.1990, Butterworth, University of Warwick