Search - Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Cleveland Orchestra :: Pierre Boulez Edition - Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Petrouchka / New York PO, Cleveland Orchestra

"Le Sacre" -- an intense, modern vision

R. Hutchinson | a world ruled by fossil fuels and fossil minds | 08/07/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This 1969 recording is unbelievable. Hearing the new version by Gergiev with the Kirov makes clear the distinctive vision Boulez brings to "The Rite." This is a hard, intense, streamlined interpretation. It's remorseless structural focus and clarity and strong narrative force create a sense of inexorability and fatalism. For me, this "Rite" evokes our modern world and its horrors more than it does the rural and village life of the past. Ironically perhaps, given the rivalry between Schoenberg, who Boulez followed, and Stravinsky the neoclassicist, Boulez produced what is arguably the most convincing 20th century version of this masterwork, as opposed to versions that highlight its continuity with the 19th century. The new recording by Gergiev and the Kirov is excellent, but it is not more powerful than this, rather it is powerful and passionate in a different way, more sprawling and episodic, and sounding more like Debussy. Gergiev evokes the Russian past, while Boulez evokes the global present and future. As Stravinsky emphasized, multiple interpretations of compositions are essential to reveal their possibilities. Boulez reveals a possibility in "Le Sacre" that is unique and stunning!"

Unbeatable value, but only one of many

D. B. Rathbun | Washington, DC United States | 12/04/2003

(4 out of 5 stars)

"The Rite of Spring is easily one of the most significant pieces of music ever written. Every time I hear a radio station having a listeners' poll of "best pieces of classical music," the Rite is always among the top 5. Though the piece can be challenging for those who have never heard Stravinsky, it's a profound piece that yields more enjoyment with each listen (so the first hundred listens are certainly in the "learning" stage). Among the recordings out there, each accentuates different aspects of the complexity of Stravinsky's score, and a good handful are worth having. Some are noteworthy for their sheer force, while others for their clarity and refinement. This one, an earlier recording of Cleveland under Boulez, is a nice balance of precision and force. Compared to others, it can seem uninteresting, though. At a budget price, however, it certainly provides return for the dollar. Boston under Ozawa (Reference) is a much more forceful and exact performance, and is also sold at a budget price. Most of the best recordings are still at full price. Boulez has changed drastically in the last 2 decades--now he is less dogmatic, more flexible, and better liked by orchestra players. Since recording quality has also made great strides, the recent recording of Petrouchka and the Rite with Cleveland under Boulez is hard to pass up. The Petrouchka is especially charming. It is only about $3 more, and every bit worth it.For sheer force, I have always preferred Saint Louis under Leonard Slatkin, though this may be out of print. For precision, the recent recording of San Francisco under Tilson Thomas cannot be beat. Comparable to the 1969 Boulez/Cleveland, Karajan's with the Berlin Philharmonic is also a classic, notable for its consistency and depth of musicianship, though Karajan audibly struggles with his orchestra at times (I always found this to add "drama" to the work). For recording quality, perhaps the best is Minnesota under Oue, which is also an amazingly clear and exact reading, but perhaps reserved.In sum, the 1969 Boulez recording is a classic recording for a budget price, but I'd probably go for the Ozawa for the same price. In any event, Tilson Thomas's is amazing and worth every dollar at full price, and Boulez's more recent one is also good."

Exceptional Performances

W. Morris | Pensacola, FL USA | 08/06/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Pierre Boulez, according to some, is known for being too analytical and quite dry in just about everything he does. The recordings come out as meticulously well-played and quite clear, but atmospherically and musically bland. However, I believe there are exceptions: this recording of two of Stravinsky's warhorses is one of them.



Beginning with Petrouchka, Boulez's reputation for making an ensemble play virtuosically and with great clarity is proven. Even while someone may have complained about there not being equal treatment in recording balance, I got the feeling that it sounded more like sitting in an orchestra hall. The soloists play their hearts out (as does the rest of the orchestra) and I have not found anything to complain about.



The excitement of Petrouchka ends and I feel myself begging for more excellent music, and to my relief, Rite of Spring begins with that eerie bassoon solo. I got to thinking that if the beginning solo was any indication of what was to come from the rest of the orchestra on this masterpiece, I was in for a ride I didn't want to get off. The colors and timbre the orchestra put forth and the blend just blew me away. I could feel the terror of this music and it was ingratiating.



Sonics on this recording are top notch and have been since its 'silver disc' debut 11 years ago. So with the quality of sound and quality of performance adding up to top notch, my conclusion is get it and don't regret it. At the price Amazon offers it for, it's a STEAL."