Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé (Ballet Suite)

Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé (Ballet Suite)

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Maurice Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé
Un ballet
Scénario par Michel Fokine

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The Greek author, Longus, originally wrote the romance Daphnis et Chloé, which was subsequently translated into other languages and quite popular during the late 18th and early 19th century when Western Europe experienced a surge in interest of old Greek works, praised for their sensuality, subjects, and color. The danseur Sergei Diaghilev commissioned Maurice Ravel, a prolific composer in his time, to compose the suite which would subsequently appear at the June 8, 1912 performance of his Ballet Russes.

Composed for a large orchestra, Maurice Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé is a fine example of the opulent, colorful Impressionist style - full of life and vigor, it is one of the most passionate and evocative pieces written by Ravel and still stands today as one of his greatest works. It is one of Ravel's longest pieces - at only one hour - and his most highly praised.


 
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