Daphnis et Chloe for Two Pianos

[Willravel]

For those that don't know, Maurice Ravel was a French classical (romantic) composer. He is generally considered to be one of the greatest composers of his time. Daphnis et Chloe, a masterpiece written to accompany a ballet, is arguably Ravel's greatest work. It's incredibly complex, exemplifying the French impressionism movement. It's also orchestral and vocal, which brings me to the videos I found on Youtube below.

While many have tried to adapt Ravel's masterwork to piano, I've never come across an adaptation that did the original work justice. They're always either too simple or too jumbled to really deliver the raw emotion and sweeping power along with the precise intricacy. Until now.

Daphnis et Chloe by Maurice Ravel, Suit 2 "Daybreak" and "Dance Generale", for Two Pianos
Arrangement by Vyacheslav Gryaznov
Performed by Vyacheslav Gryaznov and Nikolai Kozhin

[Lindy]

Wonderful music, but I miss the tonal palette of the orchestral version. To me, the sound of a piano just has too much of a homogeneous quality. Same comparison with Ravel's orchestration of Mussorgsky's Pictures at an Exhibition. The orchestral version is just more interesting to me. I find this true of all the "pianizations" of orchestral music that I can remember hearing. I think this is somewhat like comparing color with black and white photography. They can be so different, even when picturing the same thing.
I'll listen to this a few more times, maybe on my other computer with the better speakers.
I also like Ravel's Piano Concerto for the Left Hand Alone, written for his pianist friend who lost his right arm in World War One.

Lindy

[Jetée]

The second sample is by far the better, a real delight to the senses, and a truly sterling rendition.

Thank you for the look and listen. I had not heard of Ravel's work before in this light.