Daphnis and Chloe

[richardfinegold]

I was looking through my collection for a recording of the complete ballet (as opposed to just the ubiquitous 2nd Suite), and I realized that while i have a few of the Suite #2, I don't have the complete ballet.
I'm thinking of ordering the Monteux/LSO, but I notice there is also a stereo version of Monteux and the Concertgebouw. on SACD, Levine and the Boston SO are competing with Haitink and my local Orchestra, the Chicago SO, and in 3 channel only, the old Munch/Boston recording.
Any recommendations for a complete ballet? It is such a pity that conductors such as Martinon, Ormandy, and Paray never recorded the complete ballet.

[Ferretfancy]

I would say that the Monteux / LSO has never really been surpassed, he did after all conduct the premiere. The Decca recording is still superb. The Boston / Munch version for RCA is also very special in both its mono and stereo editions if you can still find it.
Decca had one of their early digital successes with the Montreal version under Charles Dutoit, and this is a very good recommendation for a more modern performance, but Monteux is still magic for me.

Incidentally, all the Dutoit / Montreal Ravel orchestral recordings have been issued in bargain packages at various times, and works like Une Barque sur L'ocean and Valses Nobles et Sentimentales come over particularly well. I haven't checked online, but you should be able to find them at a competitive price.

[teamsaint]

There may be some useful thoughts here .

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?5534-Daphnis-et-Chloe-Centenary&highlight=daphnis

[Barbirollians]

Monteux LSO still unmatched for me .

[johnb]

I've always found the Dutoit Ravel recordings a slight disappointment - very beautiful but I always had the feeling that something is lacking but when I first heard Monteux's D&C (with the LSO) I was totally blown away.

There is something very special indeed about those recordings that Monteux made in that 'Indian Summer' towards the end of his life - a rare combination of suppleness, grace, wisdom, charm and even power. (I remember the feeling of being pushed back in my chair by the climaxes in D&C when I discovered that recording a few years ago).

[PJPJ]

...... but I notice there is also a stereo version of Monteux and the Concertgebouw.

Is it real stereo? Is it a live 1955 concert?

I do have Martinon - it was also released on a DVD-Audio disc:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ravel-Bolero-Daphnis-Chlo%C3%A9-Valse/dp/B00005B8A3/ref=sr_1_19?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1357210591&sr=1-19

but a bit pricey second-hand. Monteux/LSO will appear on SACD in Japan soon, I think, but will be hugely expensive compared to European releases.

[BBMmk2]

Charles Dutoit for me with his Montrea forces.

[rauschwerk]

If it's opulent recording you want then Dutoit is your man. The orchestral playing is excellent in both versions. Monteux gets sound which is fine for its time, but which does not have the dynamic range of the later digital recording. His final dance seems quite sedate compared with the very exciting Dutoit (Ravel, surprisingly, gives no metronome mark), but perhaps he was remembering the correct tempo for the dancers? Myself, I don't really care about that for home listening.

[cloughie]

Charles Dutoit for me with his Montrea forces.

As a Daphnis addict I could recommend several but Monteux LSO is top of the pile, however if you want an extensive selection of Ravel with most of Debussy's orchestral music thrown in, an excellnt Daphnis is included in this great boxed set.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B008DK3Q96/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

or if you just want the Ravel ;

http://www.sainsburysentertainment.co.uk/en/Music/CD/Maurice-Ravel/Orchestral-Works-Martinon-Orchestre-De-Paris/product.html?product=E10184822

[Pabmusic]

I'd agree that Monteux/LSO (for wonderful performance, plus very good sound) and Dutoit (for wonderful sound, plus very good performance) come top, but I also have Boulez's New York performance:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Ravel-Daphnis-Chloe-Boulez-Nypo/dp/B00000DRWC/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1357214892&sr=8-6

I think this is one to have for those days when you want a change. The recording is very good and the performance intense. However, I have a nagging feeling there's a (very) small cut somewhere, but I don't recall where or when I heard that., and I don't have time to follow it through with a score at present.

[Petrushka]

LSO/Monteux is a very special disc but so is the 1955 Boston SO/Munch.

Not to be overlooked are Haitink's three versions, LSO/Abbado and one of my own modern favourites, the 1995 BPO/Boulez in thrilling sound.

[mathias broucek]

Very slightly OT but I was recently blown away by parts of the Sinopoli recording of Suite 2 (Philharmonia).

[Barbirollians]

If you want Suite 2 - then I say Philharmonia/Cantelli !

[richardfinegold]

LSO/Monteux is a very special disc but so is the 1955 Boston SO/Munch.

Not to be overlooked are Haitink's three versions, LSO/Abbado and one of my own modern favourites, the 1995 BPO/Boulez in thrilling sound.

i have ordered the Monteux/LSO but it hasn't yet arrived. Today while browsing in a used lp shop I came across both the Martinon that has been recommended here and Haitink/Concertgebouw (first two suites only). I bought the Haitink and have just finished listening to it. It is pretty much what one would expect from this combination--beautiful playing, recording, wonderful detail and attention to dynamics. It misses that last ounce of orgiastic abandon that Paul Paray conveyed so effectively. A good supplemental version.

[Roehre]

Charles Dutoit for me with his Montreal forces.

As it is for me. One of my very first CDs anyway (mid 1980s)