Search - Igor Stravinsky, Charles Mackerras, London Philharmonic Orchestra :: Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring; Fireworks; Circus Polka; Greeting Prelude "Happy Birthday"

Stravinski done right

kermit rohrbach | allen, tx, usa | 07/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have owned this CD (but issued as EMI Eminence) for many years and was surprised to see no reviews. Mackerras is not the name that pops to mind when someone says "Stravinski"; it is either Monteux or Stravinski himself. This is Mackerras and the London SO from 1987. Monteux was principal conductor at London 1961-64. This CD shows that 20 years later the London SO had not forgot how it was done. I prefer this to Stravinki's Columbia recordings and to Monteux's mono recording for Philips. I know you are skeptical; all I can say is that it will not cost you much to prove me wrong! What a pity it cannot be re-released on SACD (EMI has still not licensed DSD). For your trouble, you will also get the fabulous "fireworks" that Stravinski wrote for his teacher Rimski. Not enough? Mackerras ends the CD with two of the best things Stravinski wrote: "circus polka" (the ballet for a young elephant) and "greeting prelude" (Stravinski's serial take on happy birthday to you for the 80-year-old Monteux). OK, I admit that 40 minutes is kind of slim for a CD these days, but you will not be short-changed. For once, EMI actually gets the sound right."

Kudos to Mackerras and the London Philharmonic for this stun

Eric S. Kim | Southern California | 07/01/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I am currently the owner of five recordings of Igor Stravinsky's Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring): Elahu Inbal with the Philharmonia, Robert Craft with the London Symphony, Riccardo Muti with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Yoel Levi with the Atlanta Symphony, and Sir Charles Mackerras with the London Philharmonic. Each has its own ups and downs. Inbal's orchestra performs very brilliantly, though the conductor's glossy take can sound offensive to those who are looking for a more savage interpretation. Craft's authoritative conducting and the marvelous orchestra is a step-up, but I wish Craft didn't give the more lyrical sections a faster pace. Muti's recording suffers from an odd-sounding brass section and lousy sound quality, but the rest of the orchestra really delivers. And finally, Levi's conducting is a plus, but the Atlanta Symphony's chamber-like sound is a minus.



Here, Mackerras thankfully doesn't smooth over the brutal nature of the piece like Inbal, nor does he speed up the quieter sequences like Craft. He is like Muti: he brings a whole lot of intensity throughout Le Sacre. But he is also a bit like Craft: he doesn't overblow the most brutal segments, either. He can be like Inbal, where he is delicate with the Introduction to Part Two, and the "Circle Dance of the Young Girls." Sure, Mackerras may not be as fierce as maestro Esa-Pekka Salonen, but it sure looks like he knows the score very well.



The London Philharmonic is an absolute treat. Along with the Philharmonia and the Philadelphia Orchestra, the players show that they can really bring out the best in Stravinsky's masterpiece. The percussion section sounds monstrous (the bass drum, especially), and the woodwinds and brass are quite stunning. I can barely hear the strings during "Procession of the Sage" and "Glorification of the Chosen One," but in other places, it blends in perfectly with the other sections. The "Augurs of Spring" and "Ritaul of Abduction" are played with fire and lightning, while "The Dancing out of the Earth" is as fierce as Craft and Levi's interpretations. "Action of the Ancestors" is remarkably well done, and the "Sacrifical Dance" really defines what it's like to be savage in Pagan Russia.



I can see that this CD from Classics For Pleasure is now out of stock, and it's certainly a travesty. This is one of the more energetic Rite recordings that's out in the world. Maybe this could be reissued by Chandos or Naxos sometime in the near future, but I can only imagine for now.



Grade: A"