Search - Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Monteux, Boston Symphony Orchestra :: Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps; Pétrouchka

	Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Monteux, Boston Symphony Orchestra Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps; Pétrouchka Genre: Classical The amount of sheer history present in this release threatens to overwhelm its musical value. Monteux conducted the world premieres of both of these works, and these recordings commemorate returns to the orchestra he had d... more » « less
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CD Details

All Artists: Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Monteux, Boston Symphony Orchestra, Bernard Zighera
Title: Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps; Pétrouchka
Members Wishing: 0
Total Copies: 0
Label: RCA
Release Date: 10/12/2004
Album Type: Original recording remastered
Genre: Classical
Styles: Ballets & Dances, Ballets, Historical Periods, Modern, 20th, & 21st Century, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 828766231427

Synopsis

Amazon.com

The amount of sheer history present in this release threatens to overwhelm its musical value. Monteux conducted the world premieres of both of these works, and these recordings commemorate returns to the orchestra he had directed just after the First World War. Petruschka, in sparkling 1959 stereo, lacks the violence and visionary character heard in some of the best performances (like Stokowski/Philadelphia). But its clarity and musical impulse are really treasurable, and combined with the playing of the great orchestra they make for a memorable version even though it leaves some things unsaid. The Rite of Spring is 1951 mono, but the clarity of the recording and its impact hold up surprisingly well. If you want sheer viciousness (a worthwhile quality in this music) look for the deleted Dorati/Minneapolis Mercury CD. For a performance that treats this piece for its musical values, Monteux is extremely gratifying. It's difficult to believe the legend that the conductor didn't like this music! RCA's new remastering is marginally clearer than the previous RCA Gold Seal addition, and the price is right. --Leslie Gerber

CD Reviews

Savage, Prehistoric Russia

Joe Anthony (a.k.a. JAG 1) | Massachusetts, USA | 04/19/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

""The Rite of Spring" by Stravinsky is the ground-breaking work that shattered the conventional "Romantic" style of it's day. It portrays the savage world of prehistoric Russia. An animal passion seems to drive the work to a thundering climax. Bernstien's version is too self-indulgent; Boulez is too cold; even Stravinsky's own recording does not measure up to Monteux's passion and French polish. Monteux also premiered the work in 1911.

Comparisons: Bernstein/Israel Phil. Orch.; Boulez/Cleveland Orch.;Stravinsky"

Straight from the horse's mouth.

Bobby Corno | Cincinnati OH | 02/07/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The "politically" correct view of Stravinsky performances seem to dismiss many of the earlier recordings in favor of the more "clinically" clean versions. While many of these newer recordings are really excellent, we should give the "older" ones their due. These performances of Stravinsky's two greatest ballets are "straight from the horse's mouth". Maestro Monteux conducted the world premiere of both of these works and Stravinsky always approved of Monteux's Interpretations. Stravinsky even went so far as to compose a short fanfare for Monteux's 80th birthday! There are earlier performances of The Rite of Spring by Monteux {french orchestras}and they are not truly as successful as this one with the Boston Symphony.

The sound on this CD is very good, although the Petrushka sounds a little more strident than I remember. The "Sacre" is in really good sounding mono. The performances are wonderful. They convey the dramatic tension and the the joy inherent in these pieces and for once they actually sound balletic! The price couldn't be better and the rewards are great!

"