Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé

[Brian]

Naxos: Petitigirard $6.84
DG: Boulez (about $15-16)

I've got these. You need not fear "un-Ravel-ness" from Boulez and the Berlin Philharmonic: they give a grandly atmospheric performance, with perfect choral contributions and - actually I love everything about it. Boulez is a little slower than everyone else, and maybe a little deeper too and spring-water fresh; the sound quality is phenomenal; this was M forever's recommendation to me and I've been treasuring it ever since. The Petitgirard is perfectly fine, pretty good even, but it's got nothing on Boulez.

[karlhenning]

It tends to surprise folks who haven't actually heard it, but Boulez does a mighty sweet job with les français anciens.  At some point I should plump for his Berlioz;  he certainly does a magical job with Dukas's La Péri.

[Sylph]

There's a new one on the block:



I have no idea if it's any good.

[snyprrr]

bump

[snyprrr]

I think I'm in the market here. I'd be looking for the haziest, laziest, most sumptuous,... just the aural equivalent of a *******. Am I looking for Levi?

[Mirror Image]

I think I'm in the market here. I'd be looking for the haziest, laziest, most sumptuous,... just the aural equivalent of a *******. Am I looking for Levi?

Get the Dutoit/MSO recording. This will fit the bill rather nicely and it's one of my favorite recordings of this truly incredible piece of music.

[bigshot]

Dutoit is just as langorous as you're lookng for.

[Mirror Image]

Dutoit is just as langorous as you're lookng for.

Actually, the Dutoit isn't all that hazy and limpid, there is some fire in the performance.

[MDL]

The Boulez/Berlin/DG recording was recently reissued as part of a cheap twofer, and by 'eck is it value for money. The accompanying recording of La Valse alone is probably worth the £7 I paid for the CD, but the Daphnis is a thing of wonder; the choral contribution (gorgeously sung, beautifully balanced and recorded at just the right not-too-far/not-too-in-your-face distance) is just one of the reasons why this Daphnis is so compelling. OK, I'd like a bit more tang and character in the wind, perhaps (often an issue with the smooth-as-silk BPO, no?), but that minor gripe aside, this may be my desert island Daphnis.

[Mirror Image]

The Boulez/Berlin/DG recording was recently reissued as part of a cheap twofer, and by 'eck is it value for money. The accompanying recording of La Valse alone is probably worth the £7 I paid for the CD, but the Daphnis is a thing of wonder; the choral contribution (gorgeously sung, beautifully balanced and recorded at just the right not-too-far/not-too-in-your-face distance) is just one of the reasons why this Daphnis is so compelling. OK, I'd like a bit more tang and character in the wind, perhaps (often an issue with the smooth-as-silk BPO, no?), but that minor gripe aside, this may be my desert island Daphnis.

I actually enjoyed both of Boulez's Daphnis recordings, but the Berlin/DG performance is by far my favorite of the two. It's definitely in my top 5 Daphnis performances that's for sure.