Daphnis et Chlo

Daphnis et Chloé is a 1912 symphonie chorégraphique, or choreographic symphony, for orchestra and wordless chorus. It is in three main sections, or parties, and a dozen scenes, most of them dances, and lasts just under an hour. The dance scenario was adapted by choreographer Michel Fokine from a pastoral romance by the Greek writer Longus thought to date from the 2nd century AD. Tamara Karsavina and Vaslav Nijinsky danced the shepherdess and goatherd. Four discernible leitmotifs give it musical unity. The music, some of the composer's most passionate, is widely regarded as some of his best, with extraordinarily lush harmonies typical of the Impressionist movement. The first was prepared as early as 1911, that is, before the staging. The second, essentially Partie III of the whole, was issued in 1913 and is particularly popular. (When the complete work is performed it is more often in concert than staged.) Ravel adhered to his description of the music in his formal titling of the suites.