When the visionary choreographer Sergei Diaghilev asked him in 1909 to create a new work for Les Ballets Russes, the young Maurice Ravel chose to present an intense Greek love story with Daphnis et Chloé.

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Ravel’s approach—emphasizing color and atmosphere—initially met with misunderstanding and resistance. Yet even Stravinsky declared, “It is not only Ravel’s finest work but also one of the most beautiful masterpieces of French music.” The inimitable Lever du jour stands as proof, where the dawn awakens in sound—from whispering wood tones and fresh bird calls to the passionate reunion of lovers at sunrise.

Passionate love also inspired Nadia Boulanger when she composed her Fantaisie variée pour piano et orchestre for Raoul Pugno, who was not only her teacher but, as would be revealed years after her death, also her lover.

Finally, Annelies Van Parys channeled her love for Europe into EUtopia: a work where despair and hope interlace, questioning whether Europe is merely a utopia or if Beethoven’s vision in “Alle Menschen werden Brüder” will ultimately prevail.

Beyond the Score

The Brussels Philharmonic invited slam poet and Brussels city poet Lisette Ma Neza to reimagine Daphnis and Chloé. How does she unlock its mystical layers? Which words reveal its hidden worlds? Her new text sparks a bold play of light and letters, projected across stage and hall. Words pulse, glow, and cast shadows, creating an emotional rollercoaster ride to match the music of Ravel. [read more]