Search - Maurice Ravel, Myung-Whun Chung, Radio France Philharmonic Orchestra :: Ravel: Daphnis et Chloé

Sumptuous, evocative, impressionism

Violin MD | USA | 10/16/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This release represents a supreme accomplishment by all the forces involved. The Orchestre Philharmonique and Choeur de Radio France deliver an exceptional performance filled with such presence from the very opening of the Introduction Lente. Chief conductor Myung Whun Chung's absolute dedication and irresistable dedication to orchestral textures and timbers and aural "scents and perfumes" is simply incredible and enjoyable.



The infinite variety of moods, "consonants and vowels", emotions, complete stillness to sweeping grand motion are all here with an amazing respect for details that never becomes fussy due to the great comunicative powers of this performance. The virtuosity of the Orchestre Radio France is deceptively non-apparent because they play with such style, elegance and passion. The range of pianissimo to fortissimo is likewise spellbounding in its communicative and stirring power.



Other winning points include the clarity of orchestral layers between the winds, brass, and percussion who all share such an amazing unity of articulations that are so easy to take for granted. And the strings play with such elegance and silken style that are completely at one with the indications of Ravel's score. Each section of the orchestra plays at such a high level of musicianship and this applies for both solo and unison passages. The solo woodwind passages in the final track Anime-Lent-Anime (General Dance Daphnis et Chloe) will leave you breathless. Many thanks to the Radio Choeur for their special beauty and dedicated delivery as well. An exciting and musically rewarding accomplishment by the maestro Myung Whun Chung and his superb orchestra!!!"

Sinuous, transparent, lush -- but a bit less than enthrallin

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 02/22/2007

(4 out of 5 stars)

"DG clearly wanted to make a statement here: a French orchestra could play a French masterpiece with total authority. Chung has made his whole career in France, so even though he's not a native, he's far from a fly-in visitor like Barenboim or Karajan. The result is mesmerizing at first. The way that the wordless chorus rises out of silence by the tiniest degress of pianissimo is entrancing. The French Radio Orchestra can't compete for virtuosity with the Berlin Phil. or for elegance with the Boston Sym., but they play with a captivating sense of atmosphere.



Indeed, if Daphnis could simply be diaphanous and Chloe clear-eyed, this would be a great performance. But the work also calls for dynamism and contrast during the wilder music. For me, Chung doesn't completely rise to the occasion; he doesn't provide riveting sharpness the way Munch does in his classic BSO version, or the warmth of Monteux on Philips. But if you want pure atmospherics and astonishing lightness, this well recorded but stingy CD sets a new standard."

One of the Best

Karl W. Nehring | Ostrander, OH USA | 07/08/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I would like to think that there are people out there who are just starting to discover what we generally call "classical" music. I would further like to think that there are some reading this column who fall into that category. For you folks, and for everybody else, I urgently recommend that you obtain this wonderful new release of one of the most exhilarating classical compositions ever written, Maurice Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé.



Over the years I have auditioned and owned countless recordings of this score. I am not sure that this new one conducted by Maestro Chung is the best, but it may well be; certainly, it is one of the very best available. Even if you are a long-time fan of this music who owns many recordings of Ravel's masterpiece, you should consider adding this one to your collection. It is that good."