Maurice Ravel's *Daphnis et Chloé* is a monumental work in the orchestral repertoire, a shimmering tapestry of sound that captivates audiences a century after its creation. While the complete ballet, *Daphnis et Chloé, Symphonie chorégraphique*, is a sprawling masterpiece, it's the suites extracted from it, particularly Suite No. 2, that often find their way into concert halls and onto recordings. This article delves into the score of *Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2, M.57b*, exploring its composition, its structure, its enduring appeal, and its relationship to the broader context of the ballet and the original source material.
The Genesis of a Masterpiece: From Longus to Ravel
To understand Ravel's *Daphnis et Chloé*, we must first acknowledge its literary source: Longus's second-century Greek romance, *Daphnis and Chloe*. This pastoral novel, a charming tale of love and adventure set in ancient Lesbos, provided Ravel with a rich tapestry of themes – idyllic landscapes, burgeoning romance, the intoxicating power of nature, and the clash between rustic simplicity and sophisticated society. (Longus Daphnis and Chloe Summary provides a detailed overview of the novel's plot and characters). While Ravel doesn't strictly adhere to the narrative, he captures the essence of Longus's work, translating its idyllic atmosphere and emotional nuances into a vibrant musical language.
Ravel's commission for the ballet came from Serge Diaghilev, the impresario of the Ballets Russes. Diaghilev, renowned for his collaborations with leading composers and choreographers, recognized Ravel's unique ability to create music that was both exquisitely beautiful and dramatically effective. The ballet premiered in 1912 at the Théâtre du Châtelet in Paris, choreographed by Michel Fokine. The success of the production cemented *Daphnis et Chloé*'s place in the annals of musical history. (Maurice Ravel Daphnis et Chloé Wikipedia offers a comprehensive overview of the ballet's history and reception).
Daphnis et Chloé Suite No. 2, M.57b: A Selection of Gems
The complete *Daphnis et Chloé* ballet is a substantial work, lasting well over an hour. To make the music more accessible to a wider audience, Ravel created two suites: Suite No. 1 and Suite No. 2. Suite No. 2, M.57b, composed in 1913, is arguably the more popular and frequently performed of the two. It consists of three movements, each a miniature masterpiece in its own right:
current url：https://yhixzh.e812z.com/global/ravel-daphnis-et-chloe-score-7402