Conceived by choreographer Michel Fokine and commissioned by Sergei Diaghilev, Daphnis et Chloé was a labour of love for Ravel, who spent sleepless nights composing it. “What complicates things is that Fokine doesn’t know a word of French,” he wrote, “and I only know how to swear in Russian.” Diaghilev quickly lost interest, postponing the 1912 premiere in favour of Nijinsky’s Afternoon of a Faun. Nevertheless, it is now considered Ravel’s masterpiece and shares a bill with Brahms’ Violin Concerto, performed by James Ehnes. Jaime Martín conducts.

Limelight Editor’s Choice

Climb to the peak of the violin repertoire with James Ehnes, before celebrating Ravel’s 150th birth year with a rare performance of the full ballet score for Daphnis et Chloé. Musicians from ANAM join the MSO under the direction of Jaime Martín to perform some of the most arresting music ever written.