Ravel: Daphnis et Chloe (2012)

Music For Two Greek Myths

This CD includes two Twentieth Century orchestral works based upon Greek mythology: Maurice Ravel's (1875 -- 1937) extended and famous 1912 ballet score for "Daphnis et Chloe" and Alan Hovhaness' (1911 --2000) shorter and much less known work of 1957, "Meditation on Orpheus", Op. 155. Gerard Schwarz conducts the Seattle Symphony as part of a series of reissued recordings on Naxos to celebrate Schwarz' distinguished career with the orchestra. The recordings date from 1990.

The Hovhaness piece attracted me to the CD. As the title implies, the "Meditation on Orpheus" is less than a retelling of the famous myth of the power of song and music that a reflection upon it. It is a work of about 12 minutes. Hovhaness frequently made use of avant-garde compositional techniques. Portions of the "Meditation" are in a free rhythm, aleatoric style, where the performs play at their own tempo creating a mood Hovhaness described as "controlled chaos". The aleatoric sections in the piece alternate with music of flowing melody and varied orchestration. Thus, the music opens with a broad theme for the strings which is soon interrupted by an aleatoric section. There are further passages with lovely extended solos for oboe, brass chorale, and harp, which frequently are interrupted by the nervous aleatoric tremelo passages for the strings. The work builds to a crashing, chaotic aleatoric climax followed by a sudden close. The music captures the beauty and torment of the power of the imagination in the myth of Orpheus. I enjoy continuing to explore the work of this still underappreciated American composer.

I had heard Ravel's 1912 ballet many years ago in a live orchestral performance which left me dissatisfied. I didn't return to the work until listening to this CD and enjoyed it a good deal more than I had originally. "Daphnis et Chloe" is ballet music of nearly an hour scored for large orchestra, chorus, and extended passages for solo flute, performed here by Scott Goff, principal flutist of the Seattle Symphony. Ravel brought a 20th Century musical sensibility to this 2nd Century A.D. story, mediated through the composer's love of French classicism. The music has a pastorale feel.

The story involves a love affair between a shepherd and his lady, male and female rivals, pirates, the gods, war, and passion. Ravel's music is in three broad sections with peaceful pastorales alternating with wild rhythmic dances. The orchestration is varied from the simple to the lush with many changes of mood. The chorus sings wordlessly many times at climactic moments. The work ends with a frenzied bachannale. It is a long challenging score.

The recording helped me appreciate a work which, if still not among my favorites, I didn't like when I heard it years ago. The sound quality is good and allows the listener to hear the inbtricate instrumentation. Schwarz brings out both the passion and buccolic quality of various parts of the score.

Many listeners love "Daphnis et Chloe". In preparing this review, I read comments of many knowledgeable listeners on other versions available here on Amazon. Some of these recordings, with which I am unfamiliar have many passionate admirers. The earlier release of Schwarz' recording had only one review here on Amazon, but it was highly laudatory and I think informed. In sum, Schwarz offers at the least a fine, idiomatic performance of this piece that will capture its character and move most listeners. I can't rate this perfomance of "Daphnis et Chloe", however, against other versions.

The attraction of this CD lies in the two works taken together. The Hovhaness is relatively seldom performed while the Ravel is played and recorded frequently. Both composers make full use of orchestration and both composers, in these works, return to Greek myth. The pairing of these two works is appealing and inspired. The many admirers of Maestro Gerard Schwarz will also be interested in this recording. Keith Anderson has written detailed liner notes setting forth the story to accompany "Daphnis et Chloe."

Total Time: 69:13

Robin Friedman