Search - Stravinsky, Mravinsky, Leningrad Phil Orch :: Firebird Suite 2 (L'Oiseau De Feu)

There are better choices

Dr. Fartmeister | Vancouver BC | 11/13/2001

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This disc does have an enticing price tag, but be forwarned, it is a live recording. That means there is spontaneous coughing throughout the disc. If you don't mind that, perhaps you will mind the incredibly disproportionate dynamics of the Firebird Suite. Oddly enough, the piccolo is just a little bit too forte. Actually, it's painfully fortississississississimo during the Firebird's Dance. The performance of Petrouchka is better, though lacking fire at times. If you're really cheap like me, this isn't a bad choice, though I would never spend any more than the (money) I spent on this disc.
If, however, you are interested in getting a couple of excellent recordings of outstanding performances, may I suggest the Firebird on Sony Classics' "Bernstein Century" series. This CD also has one of the most electrifying performances of the Rite of Spring I have heard on it as an extra bonus. Your best bet for Petrouchka is the Deutsche Grammophone recording of the London Symphony under Abbado.
Stravinsky deserves better treatment than this. They couldn't even spell his name right, apparently."