Search - Stravinsky, Osr, Ansermet :: Petrouschka

Interesting reference recordings !

Hiram Gomez Pardo | Valencia, Venezuela | 01/08/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Les Noces constitutes possibly Stravinsky' s most edifying work based on the ancient pagan Russian myths . Inspired in the nuptial rites . Stravinsky seems to withdraw of the pure fauvism of The rite of spring . He evades to utopian and fantastic universes to a world of impossible returns .



Eventually you will associate similar echoes of Orff ` s Aphrodite ` s triumph .



You may realize the oversimplification of the sound mass . And the whole plot begins with the laments of the bride for her girlhood's departure ; the familiar scenes with the consolations of her new experience as wife and finishes in the Four act with the bride and the great desire of all the guest for a their eternal happiness .



Ansermet conducts this work with notable precision and absolute domain of the score .



Ther rest of the CD is worthable but Le Sacre is weak with abolutely non understanable slow tempos with the required histamina .



The firebird is interesting with dyonisiac moods.

Petrouchka has its peak with Ansermet in the historic performance of 1947 with the London Symphony .



Excellent sound !

"

Treasures from the early stereo era

jsa | San Diego, CA United States | 07/30/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Ernest Ansermet's authority in the music of Stravinsky was unsurpassed: he had a close working relationship with the composer for a quarter of a century & was involved in the original productions of a number of his most significant works including The Firebird, The Rite of Spring, Petrushka, The Soldier's Tale, The Song of the Nightingale & Pulcinella. Ansermet's recordings, which were both meticulous & inspired, were the ones to have even after Stravinsky himself took up the baton.



These are very early stereo recordings that were considered state of the art both artistically & sonically right through the lp era. Because The Firebird recording dates from 1955, Petrushka & Rite of Spring date from 1957, & Les Noces from 1961, one might think that the sound cannot compete with today's recording technology; however, that would be an inaccurate conclusion to draw. Decca's recordings were atmospheric but detailed, & pleasingly warm & rich, characteristics that have been maintained on these cd transfers.



My first recording of The Firebird was Ansermet's issued on the budget London Stereo Treaury Series; & of Petrushka, it was also Ansermet, on the full priced London label. These cd's replaced the lp's & I've never looked any further.



Very highly recommended!"