Composed for Diaghilev and the Ballet Russes, Daphnis and Chloé was
drawn from an ancient Greek fable about a pair of abandoned infants who
grow up together, fall in love, and are delivered from the treachery of
pirates by the god Pan. Upon receipt of the commission for this work,
Ravel announced his intention to compose a vast musical fresco, less
scrupulous as to archaism than faithful to the Greece of my dreams,
which inclined readily enough to what French artists of the late 18th
century have imagined and depicted. The resulting choreographic symphony
features a captivating combination of orchestral traditions and modern
ideals.
Reproduced from authoritative editions, these two suites are extracted
from the complete ballet. This affordable version is their first
appearance in a single volume, promising convenience and value as well
as the pleasure and enlightenment of Ravel's inspired vision.