recommended recordings

·     Choral ·     Orchestral Pierre Boulez Edition - Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Petrouchka / New York PO, Cleveland Orchestra Composer: Igor Stravinsky Conductor: Pierre Boulez Ensemble: New York Philharmonic Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra Sony Classics - #64109 / January 24, 1995 Click here for more information With the New York Philharmonic on its best behavior, Pierre Boulez uncorks a reading of Petrushka that is vibrant, energetic, and full-voiced, with razor-sharp rhythm and ensemble. The solos, played by the likes of Julius Baker (flute) and Paul Jacobs (piano), have never been more effectively done. The recording, with the sizzling sonics typical of CBS's multitrack heyday, offers an X-ray of the score; the remastering is excellent. Pierre Boulez's interpretation of The Rite of Spring is perhaps...Read more Stravinsky conducts Stravinsky - Symphony of Psalms, etc Composer: Igor Stravinsky Conductor: Igor Stravinsky Ensemble: Columbia Symphony Orchestra, C. B. C. Symphony Orchestra, et al. Sony Classics - #42434 / February 22, 1988 Click here for more information Stravinsky was seldom the best conductor of his own music, but this disc of his three symphonies is an exception. In the first place, none of them are all that difficult to conduct--at least compared to some of his earlier works--and he seems to have been in particularly good form throughout these recording sessions. He gets a particularly enthusiastic response from his Canadian forces in the Symphony of Psalms--one of this century's great choral masterworks, and seems to really enjoy the...Read more Stravinsky: The Firebird; Scriabin: Prometheus / Gergiev Composer: Igor Stravinsky, Alexander Scriabin Conductor: Valery Gergiev Performer: Alexander Toradze Ensemble: Kirov Theater Orchestra Uni/Philips - #446715 / October 20, 1998 Click here for more information For raw, pagan splendor and over-the-top excitement, it's impossible to beat Gergiev's account of the complete 1910 Firebird. His Kirov charges attack the piece as if the notes were still fresh on the page, yet play it with smashing virtuosity-- clearly, the score's exorbitant demands pose absolutely no challenge to these musicians. This is not an unrefined reading of the piece, but it is not overly refined either. It is, in short, a Russian Firebird rather than a French one. The Philips...Read more Stravinsky: Firebird, Rite Of Spring, Persephone / Tilson Thomas, San Francisco SO Composer: Igor Stravinsky Conductor: Michael Tilson Thomas Performer: Stephanie Cosserat, Stuart Neill Ensemble: San Francisco Symphony Orchestra, Ragazzi, et al. Bmg/Rca Victor - #68898 / April 27, 1999 Click here for more information Here's a Stravinsky set to raise eyebrows. Where is Petrouchka, the standard coupling for Firebird and Rite in collections of the great early Stravinsky ballet scores? Instead, we get the too rarely heard Perséphone, and it's the highlight of the set. Premiered in 1934 to a text by André Gide, Perséphone is a retelling of the Greek fertility myth of the earth's winter death and spring renewal. The tale drew from Stravinsky some of his most delicate and beautiful music in the...Read more

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