Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé is not only his longest work but one of his most popular (in its Suite form). Often recorded and frequently performed even in Melbourne, most classical music enthusiasts are familiar with the Impressionistic work. I have over seven different recordings in my collection alone, however there is so much room for interpretation both by the conductor and the individual musicians that I love hearing new versions. This recording with the Orchestre de l’Opera National de Paris started with what felt like a single breath of air and expanded into one of the most beautiful versions of this seminal work that I have ever heard.

The orchestra, under the baton of Philippe Jordan, originally started rehearsals for Daphnis as a season of the complete ballet at the Paris Opera Bastille, with the Benjamin Millepied, of Black Swan fame, as choreographer. However, this recording was made after the season was finished and it’s obvious that each and every musician knows their exact place, which only comes from repeated performances. They have buffed out any musical indecision and present the most wholehearted performance. It doesn’t sound like an orchestra of 70 odd people, it sounds like one natural organism living and breathing Daphnis et Chloé.

Kate Rockstrom