Charles Munch, Boston Symphony Orchestra - Ravel: Daphnis And Chloe

RCA Living Stereo classical LPs - the gold standard for top quality orchestral performance and sound!

Part of the Analogue Productions RCA Living Stereo 45 RPM Series!

Mastered from the original 2-track master tapes and cut at 45 RPM by by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound

Includes 2-panel insert

180-gram vinyl 45 RPM double LP pressed at Quality Record Pressings!

"The Analogue Productions 45 RPM edition captures the key highlights of the ballet with remarkable clarity and expressiveness. ... Across the record, the strings shimmer with luminosity, woodwinds are transparent and well-delineated, and the bass foundation anchors the orchestra without overpowering the texture. The brass cut through cleanly when called upon, projecting power and bite without ever turning hard or strident, and they retain their distinct tonal character even in the most climactic passages. Triangle, celesta, and harp play important roles and are captured extremely well, adding color, shimmer, and delicacy in the quieter passages. Dynamics swell and ebb naturally, giving each highlighted section a strong sense of pacing and drama. The New England Conservatory Chorus is presented with precision, and the dense choral scoring remains intelligible even at full force. The top end is well controlled, never harsh nor overly bright, and the overall tonal balance is rich yet transparent, making the listening experience immersive and revealing of Ravel's intricate orchestration. If there is a single word to convey the character of the Analogue Productions 45 RPM edition, it is 'voluptuous.' It retains more than a hint of the typical Shaded Dog warmth and beauty, while illuminating Ravel's exquisite score with extraordinary detail, power, and tonal richness. ... The deluxe, heavy-duty gatefold jacket with anti-scuff matte finish is visually striking and robust, with extra photographs and artwork in the interior. Pressed by Quality Record Pressings, the vinyl is substantial and stable. Surface noise is minimal, and the mastering fully exploits the resolution advantages of the 45 RPM format. ... The beautiful jacket, concise two-record format, and significant improvements in mastering give this record new life. It will appeal to collectors and enthusiasts interested in both the art of recording and the history of RCA Living Stereo." — Scott Wilson, Audiophilia, Feb. 15, 2026. Read the entire review here.

By far, this is Ravel's richest and most sumptuously colorful work. Charles Munch, throughout his conducting career, gave sympathetic attention to the music of Ravel, and, by performing the entire ballet score in its entirety, restored Daphnis and Chloe to a single rounded work, drawn together not only thematically, but by its characteristic mood and color. Recorded Jan. 23-24, 1955 at Symphony Hall. Originally released in 1960.

Mastered from the original 2-track master tapes and cut at 45 RPM by by Ryan K. Smith at Sterling Sound, and plated and pressed at Quality Record Pressings — makers of the world's finest-sounding vinyl LPs, — no other editions match these for the quietest 180-gram platters available. Each reissue in the RCA Living Stereo 45 RPM Series also includes a special 2-panel insert.

See the entire collection of Analogue Production Series sets here.

LP 1 Side A

1. Ravel: Daphnis And Chloe - Ballet In One Act - Part 1

LP 1 Side B

1. Ravel: Daphnis And Chloe - Ballet In One Act - Part 2

LP 2 Side A

1. Ravel: Daphnis And Chloe - Ballet In One Act - Part 3

LP 2 Side B

1. Ravel: Daphnis And Chloe - Ballet In One Act - Concluded

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