Search - Igor Stravinsky, Robert Craft, The Philharmonia :: Stravinsky - Oedipus Rex (Opera-Oratorio in 2 Acts) / Babel (Cantata) / A Sermon, A Narrative and A Prayer (Cantata) / Zvezdolikiy (Cantata) - Robert Craft (conductor)

Robert Craft is "The (Stravinsky) Man".

Patrick W. Crabtree | Lucasville, OH USA | 03/09/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"If one is going to absorb Stravinsky, it's best to go with the winner, Robert Craft, who was his close associate and even his biographer. Craft has conducted Stravinsky all over the planet and with various orchestras. No doubt, he received close instruction from the Old Master as to exactly how to render the numerous tricky note and meter passages. In any case, on this recording, Craft keeps it nice and tight and one is treated to the great pleasure of hearing not-often heard Stravinsky compositions: "Oedipus Rex" (which Stravinsky insisted be pronounced "Eee'-di-pyss"); "Babel"; "A Sermon, A Narrative, and A Prayer," and; "Zvezdolikiy." The singer-performers on this recording are, to a person, masters of the first water and The Philharmonia seems to achieve near-perfection under Craft's astute baton. There are a couple of spots where the listener will come out of his or her chair if unprepared for the work --- but then, that is pure Stravinsky, shock and awe. Perhaps that is even the best feature of this CD -- one has the impression of being at the actual performance, the sound quality is so bright and clear. The two narrators are equally well-polished. For the collector of Stravinsky, this CD is surely a must and a bargain to boot. You won't get hurt on this one."