Search - Igor Stravinsky, Robert Craft, Philharmonia Orchestra of London :: Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete Original Version); Petrushka (Revised 1947 Version)

Stupendous Performances in Brilliant Sound

J Scott Morrison | Middlebury VT, USA | 03/25/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"[This review was written for the SACD version of this release. I have not heard this purely plain-CD version, but I did listen to the plain-CD layer of the SACD release which I trust is virtually identical to this release.]



There have, of course, been many recordings of these two early Stravinsky ballets, and you probably have your favorites. Among mine are the classic Bernstein, and the more recent Nagano/London Symphony and Tilson Thomas/San Francisco Symphony. But this one, partly because of the incredible sound reproduction via the SACD process, trumps those. Of course I wouldn't say that if the Philharmonia under Robert Craft didn't play spectacularly, but they do. In 'Firebird,' for instance, the 'Infernal Dance of Kastchei and his subjects' actually made the hair on the back of my neck stand up it was so vividly done. And that is followed by a tender 'Firebird's Lullaby' that brings a lump to the throat. One must comment about the striking playing of winds and brass (particularly the solo horn in 'Kastchei's spell is broken').



'Petrushka' is played in the 1947 revision of the 1911 score. Craft manages to underline the connection between the two ballets, musically, while not stinting in the much more advanced idiom of 'Petrushka.' The accordion push-pull harmonies are given their full due. The various solo turns (flute in 'Mountebank,' cornet in 'The Ballerina,' tuba in 'Peasant and Bear') are marvelously played, as is the extremely important orchestral piano part. Craft in both ballets takes slightly faster tempi in the more active tableaux than we may be used to, but this lends a breathless élan to those fast sections, and then in the lyrical sections he coaxes a legato sweetness from the orchestra that is sometimes missing. He recognizes that Stravinsky did not write sentimental music, but that it is nonetheless full of feeling.



This is, as far as I'm concerned, a completely successful set of performances given spectacular sound. I have not heard the plain vanilla CD and cannot comment on any differences there may be in the older format, but the plain CD layer of this disc is almost the equal sonically of the SACD layer; I can only assume the same is true for the CD-only release is similar.



TT=78:53



Scott Morrison

"

Great but not special

John Allie | 08/09/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I bought this recording because I'd "over-listened" to the Firebird recording I had already, and I wanted to hear a fresh interpretation. I thought this version looked ideal, especially since it claims to be the first recording ever to be performed exactly as written. Apart from stylistic differences, however, I did not mark any major differences from other recordings I've heard. The booklet is no help in enumerating the "many differences" claimed on the back of the case (no list or even track numbers are provided), and despite my familiarity with the piece I was not aware of any. This is not to say that there's anything wrong with the recording, it's as excellent as anything from Naxos, but its advertised uniqueness is not really in evidence.



The same goes for the Petrushka recording. Though it is stylistically different than other versions I've heard, there are no real differences which set it apart from others.



Stravinsky's spirit shines through beautifully in these performances. The Firebird is often called his "most popular but least typical," a good analysis. Petrushka is far more typical of Stravinsky, and is an extremely unique composition. Both are excellent works well worth hearing, and both are presented perfectly on this disc.



My suggestions would be: if you already own recordings of these pieces and are satisfied with them, you do not need this disc. If you have not heard these before, this is by all means an excellent place to start.



"