Album

When selecting an orchestra to record works associated with Les Ballets Russes, SWR Sinfonieorchester Baden-Baden und Freiburg might not be one's first choice. What, after all, would a German radio orchestra best known for its recordings of post-modernist masterpieces by the likes of Boulez and Stockhausen do with Ravel's Daphnis et Chloé and Poulenc's Les Biches? As this 2008 Hänssler disc shows, they do just fine. Led by seasoned German conductor Michael Gielen in the Ravel, the orchestra plays with a smoothly polished, brightly colored tone that perfectly suits the score. Though their colors are neither as individually piquant nor as collectively blended as a French orchestra's might be, the German musicians play with the kind of tight ensemble and hair-raising virtuosity that most French orchestras can't match. Led by masterful Swiss conductor Marcello Viotti in the Poulenc, they turn in smart, stylish, and snappy performances with less irony but more sincerity than a typical French performance—check out their absolutely straight-faced Rag-Mazurka. Recorded in cooperation with the Südwest Radio, Hänssler's digital sound is big, crisp, and clear.

© James Leonard, All Music Guide

CD 1
Maurice Ravel Composer Daphnis et Chloé (ballet)...Part 1 Work Recorded 1997 26:55 Europa Galante Ensemble, SWR Baden-Baden and Freiburg Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Michael Gielen Conductor, Joshard Daus Choirmaster
1	1.Introduction; 2.Danse religieuse	8:13			$1.49
2	6.General Dance	2:57			$0.99
3	7b.Vif. Plus modéré. Très modéré. Pesant: Danse grotesque de Dorcon	2:32			$0.99
4	8b.Danse légére et gracieuse de Daphnis	3:16			$0.99
5	Danse de Lycénion	4:45			$0.99
6	Danse lente et mystérieuse des nymphes	5:12			$0.99
Maurice Ravel Composer Daphnis et Chloé (ballet)...Part 2 Work Recorded 1997 14:31 Europa Galante Ensemble, SWR Baden-Baden and Freiburg Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Michael Gielen Conductor, Joshard Daus Choirmaster
7	14.Même mouvement	3:40			$0.99
8	15.Animé et très rude (Danse guerrière)	4:48			$0.99
9	Danse suppliante de Chloé	6:03			$0.99
Maurice Ravel Composer Daphnis et Chloé (ballet)...Part 3 Work Recorded 1997 17:19 Europa Galante Ensemble, SWR Baden-Baden and Freiburg Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Michael Gielen Conductor, Joshard Daus Choirmaster
10	20.Lever du jour (Dawn)	6:03			$0.99
11	Pantomime	6:47			$0.99
12	24.General Dance. Dance of Daphnis et Chloé. Dance of Dorcon. Final dance (Bacchanal)	4:29			$0.99
Francis Poulenc Composer Les biches (suite from the ballet), FP36 Work Recorded 1990 19:25 SWR Baden-Baden and Freiburg Symphony Orchestra Orchestra, Marcello Viotti Conductor
13	1.Rondeau: Largo. Allegro	3:28			$0.99
14	2.Adagietto	3:45			$0.99
15	3.Rag Mazurka: Moderato. Allegro molto	6:10			$0.99
16	4.Andantino	2:37			$0.99
17	5.Final: Presto	3:25			$0.99