The latest in the RQR series, originally mastered for proposed quadraphonic LP release back in the 1970s, is a program that meets lots of competition but is such an exciting interpretation of the magically colorful ballet music for Daphnis and Chloe that surround aficionados might want to add it to their collections in spite of duplications. The total of six movements making up the two suites present some of the highlights of the euphoric ballet, including the magnificent depiction of the coming of dawn with the birds beginning their songs (I used it as the sign-on music for a station I managed in the 1960s). The dynamic range if extremely wide, and few would miss the center channel in these four-channel recordings.
Ma mere l’oye is a perfect match for the Daphnis music due to its similar magical, fairytale sort of tone painting. Ravel’s twittering birds of Daphnis return in this suite for a walk thru the mysterious woods. The cover and notes have several images of conductor Haitink. To me he always appears either bored or mad or both. But you certainly wouldn’t know that from the music. The Bolero filler selection is just that, and I’ll have to go along with the composer’s own observation: “I have written but one masterpiece: the Bolero. Unfortunately, it does not contain any music.”
– John Sunier
