Poulenc - Gloria
Ravel - Daphnis et Chloé
Rivera; Chicago Symphony Chorus & Orchestra / Haitink
CSO Resound CSOR901906

Release date June 2009

The Chicago Symphony Orchestra has been producing recordings on their own label for two years now and this latest release formed part of the orchestra’s fiftieth anniversary celebrations in 2007. Ravel’s ballet, Daphnis et Chloé (his largest orchestral work), has been given an outstanding performance by both orchestra and chorus, achieving a perfect balance of sound between the two. The work has been allowed, where appropriate, a feeling of airiness. The result is one of terrific contrast, particularly between Part One (undoubtedly shimmery, with all the characteristics we might expect from Ravel) and Part Two – where Danse guerrière virtually bursts into the room! Part Three, opening to a scene of sunrise, is deservedly one of the most familiar moments in the entire piece. Here the chorus seems to become another member of the orchestra, creating a magnificently colourful skyline. The final movement, Danse générale, brings the ballet to a justifiably virtuous close. Poulenc’s Gloria, the opening work on this disc, complements the Ravel well – providing us with a dramatically different style of French music. Whilst this performance of the Gloria is slightly slower than I would instinctively like, Haitink has brought us an interpretation that captures the essence of the work. The third movement, a moment of calm, is particularly beautiful. A woodwind introduction gives way to soprano solo (taken here by Jessica Rivera) and treated with a breathtaking tenderness. The Chicago Sun-Times said (of the concert): “Haitink had the whole enterprise in superb interpretive hands. [Chorus director Duain] Wolfe’s chorus was perfectly balanced.” This sums up these powerful performances perfectly.

Reviewed by Ruth Squire