Search - Igor Stravinsky, Lorin Maazel, Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra :: Igor Stravinsky: Le Chant du rossignol; Feu d'artifice; Pétrouchka

Outstandingly Beautiful

Josef Krebs | Seattle | 05/22/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Is there a better example of recorded orchestral sound anywhere? Probably not. Maazel's Vienna Philharmonic pulls out all the stops and the RCA recording team catches it all in wrap-around silk. Petroushka is really amazing; using the original scoring, Maazel conjures sublime balances and manages the very rhythmic score without over-emphasizing its difficulty. The whole thing comes off very much like a Punch and Judy routine, which is what it's supposed to be. The first theme in the last movement is something especially special. The tonal opulence here is nearly overwhelming as the melody goes from oboe to horn to full orchestra with its whirlwind revolving counterpoint.In Le chant du rossingol, Maazel duplicates the intensity of his never-bettered Berlin Philharmonic recording from the sixties. But here, with the Vienna Philharmonic and RCA, the sound is again outrageous. The opening lines burst into flame; the brass tuttis and woodwind runs are fluorescent. The fisherman's song is particularly haunting and lyrical.Fireworks is, well, fireworks. An early colorist piece, not really up to the standards of the other two here.So, Maazel has mellowed, and some think that means he's no longer effective. For those critics, check out this disk. He's never been more effective in this repertoire."