Search - Stravinsky, Janacek, Bartok :: Firebird / Sinfonietta / Concerto for Orchestra

Ozawa's brilliant but scarce EMI recording of 20th Century c

Richard A. Varin | 04/17/2009

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In 1974, I was introduced to Lutoslawski's Concerto for Orchestra and have been in love ever since. I went out and bought the first copy I found, the Ozawa recording included in this set. Of the versions I know

(Kletzki on London, Rowicki on Philips, De Preist on Delos), Ozawa's is by far the best. The CD improves greatly on the vinyl, works better with the extremes of dynamic level and is less congested in the climaxes. The engineering favors a natural miking, without any spotlighting of solos and small groups of instruments, and what you get is probably something very close to what you would hear in the concert hall. Listen to this at the highest volume you can stand in the climaxes to get the best impact. The finale is a juggernaut that is overwhelming.



The recording of Janacek's Sinfonietta is also a marvel, strutting boldy in the fanfares, mystical in quiet passages. There are many instrumental details often obscured which are clearly heard (those fabulous chimes in the fourth movement, the return of the strings in the finale before the reprise of the fanfare. Ozawa certainly got this one right.



The Bartok and Stravinsky are also excellent readings, quite good in their own right, probably not best of breed, but fine. All of these recordings were made in the period 1969-72 in Paris and Chicago, and are representative on EMI's best engineering from the period.



The Bartok and Janacek have been released together on CD separately. This 2 disc set is, to my knowledge, the only CD issue of the Stravinsky and Lutoslawski, and judging from its scarcity, was not in print for long.



If you find a good quality copy at a reasonable price, snap it up for the Janacek and Lutoslawski."

Best version of the Firebird Ballet I've heard!

ymcclelland@compuserve.com | San Antonio, TX | 08/07/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Finally, the 1972 version of the complete Firebird Ballet directed by Ozawa is out on CD. This is the best version of the ballet I've ever heard. Instead of short sticcattos, the last notes of the finale are more melodic. It's a wonderful version, and anyone who loves the Firebird as much as I do should enjoy the sooting, very melodic direction of this greatest work of Stravinsky."

Please reissue this cd!!!!

Jay Master | Spring, Tx | 04/11/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I've searched the web for this fantastic cd for years now, and only found

it in a half cd format (the Janacek & Stravinsky only) Ozawa has been called a "imitation" Karajan...and most of the time its true. But the Chicago Symphony was at its peak in those days, and Ozawa really nailed these pieces dead on. The CSO's Janacek simply blows the competition away. The famous Vienna Phil Recording!!! You've got to be kidding! And the English orchestra's (LSO etc...) all sound bloated and terribly unblanced. Just compare the opening fanfare in the samples...the Firebird is a great performance, but the REAL GEM is the Lutoslawski....only a REAL

Virtuoso orchestra can play the Concerto this fast, and not sound like there're breaking a sweat. All in all...simply some of the most amazing playing you'll hear from an orchestra"