Pure, ecstatic love

Originally, Daphnis et Chloé was a full ballet written by the French composer Maurice Ravel in 1912. It's based on an ancient Greek love story – think shepherds, nymphs, and a little bit of magic.

But you don’t need to know the full ballet to enjoy it, because Ravel pulled out the very best music and turned it into a concert piece: his Suite No 2. This is what most orchestras play today. This suite comes from the final scene of the ballet. Daphnis and Chloé are foundlings raised by shepherds and as teenagers, they fall in love. Like all the best love stories there are obstacles they come between them: other love interests, pirates, kidnappings….

Pure, ecstatic love
Originally, Daphnis et Chloé was a full ballet written by the French composer Maurice Ravel in 1912. It's based on an ancient Greek love story – think shepherds, nymphs, and a little bit of magic.

But you don’t need to know the full ballet to enjoy it, because Ravel pulled out the very best music and turned it into a concert piece: his Suite No 2. This is what most orchestras play today. This suite comes from the final scene of the ballet. Daphnis and Chloé are foundlings raised by shepherds and as teenagers, they fall in love. Like all the best love stories there are obstacles they come between them: other love interests, pirates, kidnappings….

1. Lever du jour (Daybreak)
The first movement features soft, glowing music that sounds like the sun rising over a peaceful meadow. Chloé has just been rescued from pirates by the god Pan. Listen for birdsong flutes, rippling harp and soft chords. It builds slowly and luminously before the whole orchestra swells and the sun bursts over the horizon. Listen out for the harp and strings at the start, making everything feel dreamy and ethereal, and the subtle percussion as the sun rises.

2. Pantomime
This movement is gentle and romantic. Daphis and Chloé are reunited! They perform a slow dance, expressing their love for each other and relief at being back together. There are no words, the music does the talking. Near the end, there's a rising sense of ecstasy, leading into the explosion of joy in the final movement.

3. Danse Générale (General Dance)
This movement is pure celebration. All our characters – Daphnis, Chloé, villagers, mythical creatures – come together to rejoice and honour the god Pan. How do they celebrate? They dance. Hard.
This movement is fast, festive and colourful. Ravel layers different rhythms and melodies on top of each other to create a swirling kaleidoscope of sound.

PROGRAM
Ravel Daphnis and Chloé: Suite No 2 (18 minutes)
Movements
Lever du jour
Pantomime ​
Danse Générale

MUSICIANS
Conductor Eivind Aadland
musicians from the Australian National Academy of Music
Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra

Federation Concert Hall, Nipaluna / Hobart