Four Studies

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Stravinsky did three orchestral versions of his famous ballet, The Firebird (1910). The two that are mostly played today are a shorter version arranged in 1945, which is about 30 minutes long, and the original ballet suite, which is more than 45 minutes long. This is that version. The extended repeats and transitional material, in the right hands, give the whole work a decidedly spectral character. This, Boulez does expertly. (And the CSO has never sounded so...light on its feet.) Also here is the early Fireworks, where you can almost hear The Firebird approaching. The Four Etudes for Orchestra finish the disc like a snifter of brandy. --Paul Cook

Stravinsky: The Firebird/Fantaisie for Orchestra Op.4/Four Studies, Music, Igor Stravinsky, Pierre Boulez, Chicago Symphony Orchestra, 20th/21st Century Ballet, 20th/21st Century Tone Poem/Symphonic Poem, Ballet, Classical, Classical Composers, Classical Music, Orchestral, Suite for Orchestra

Average customer rating:

Crystalline Stravinsky

Much different than Boulez' 1975 interpretation

Fantastic Full-Length Firebird!

Boulez's Electrifying Interpretation of Stravinsky

This is the joy that the only the CSO & Stravinsky can bring

Stravinsky: The Firebird/Fantaisie for Orchestra Op.4/Four Studies

Manufacturer: Deutsche Grammophon
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B000001GJD
Release Date: 1993-11-09

Tracks:

The Firebird: Introduction
The Firebird: Kashchei's Magic Garden
The Firebird: Appearance Of The Firebird
The Firebird: Dance Of The Firebird
The Firebird: Ivan-Tsarevich Captures The Firebird
The Firebird: The Firebird's Entreaties
The Firebird: The Princesses' Game With The Golden Apples
The Firebird: Sudden Appearance Of Ivan-Tsarevich
The Firebird: The Princesses' Khorovod (Round Dance)
The Firebird: Daybreak - Ivan-Tsarevich Enters Kashchei's Palace
The Firebird: Magic Carillon, Appearance Of Kashchei's Guardian Monsters And The Capture Of Ivan-Tsarevich - Arrival Of Kashchei The Immortal - Kashchei's dialogue With Ivan-Tsarevich - Intercession Of The Princesses - Appearance Of The Firebird
The Firebird: Dance of Kashchei's retinue, Under The Firebird's Spell
The Firebird: Infernal Dance Of All Of Kashchei's Subjects
The Firebird: Lullaby (The Firebird)
The Firebird: Disappearance Of The Palace And Dissolution Of Kashchei's Enchantments; Animation Of The Petrified Knights; General Rejoicing
Fireworks: Orchestral Fantasy Op. 4
Four Studies: 1. Dance
Four Studies: 2. Eccentric
Four Studies: 3. Canticle
Four Studies: 4. Madrid

Amazon.com

Stravinsky did three orchestral versions of his famous ballet, The Firebird (1910). The two that are mostly played today are a shorter version arranged in 1945, which is about 30 minutes long, and the original ballet suite, which is more than 45 minutes long. This is that version. The extended repeats and transitional material, in the right hands, give the whole work a decidedly spectral character. This, Boulez does expertly. (And the CSO has never sounded so...light on its feet.) Also here is the early Fireworks, where you can almost hear The Firebird approaching. The Four Etudes for Orchestra finish the disc like a snifter of brandy. --Paul Cook

Customer Reviews:

Crystalline Stravinsky.......2007-04-01

This ranks as one of the finest recordings by Pierre Boulez currently available. He takes the earliest and in many ways least characteristic of Stravinsky's great ballets and renders it of a piece with what was to come--which is to say cohesive and piquant--while still conveying its unique sound-world. The cystalline clarity he achieves here is not bought at the expense of the score's aura of magic and the supernatural, or its physical power in episodes such as the "Danse Infernale." Perhaps surprisingly, this is all done in collaboration with the Chicago Symphony, normally a massive-sounding band (whose brass nonetheless overpower everything else in the famous closing scene). DG's recording is breathtakingly vivid.

However, astute readers probably picked up on the implication of the phrase "currently available" in this review's opening sentence. Were Boulez's long-since-deleted 1975 version on Columbia with the New York Philharmonic (reissued on CD in 1987 with a previously unreleased "Chant du Rossignol" but also out-of-print for many years) available, this conductor would have some serious competition--from himself. As another Amazon poster noted, the earlier recording has a vibrant energy and more flexible pulse that the DG lacks by comparison, although the Chicagoans play with considerably more precision. Dare one associate a touch of warmth with Boulez, who was once nicknamed The Iceman? In the older recording of "Firebird," yes. Interestingly, these two very different interpretations are only 38 seconds apart in total timing, although the 1975 version seems much faster. All in all, however, the DG Boulez is a singular achievement.

Much different than Boulez' 1975 interpretation.......2005-07-07

For anyone familiar with Boulez' 1975 version (with the NY Philharmonic) of the full-length Firebird, this recording will represent a significant departure from Boulez' earlier interpretation. In general, the tempo of the piece is decidedly slower, and the sound of the orchestra is positively languid at times. In the hands of Boulez this time around, Stravinsky sounds more like the musical descendant of Debussy rather than Rimsky-Korsakov. However, the rather Gallic qualities of this interpretation are more than valid, if one reads the program notes --- in many ways, L'Oiseau de feu is more a French ballet than a Russian one.

Still, I find myself more drawn to the 1975 version, which is much more ferocious & absolutely bristles with menacing energy. Good luck finding it; it has been out of print for years, and if it was ever re-issued on CD, I am unaware of it. The 1975 version is yet another reason that I don't get rid of my record player.

The chances are that you will not be able to compare the two versions, which is a shame. Boulez does a splendid job with two radically different interpretations, and this newer version certainly does justice to Stravinsky in every way. I don't think I have ever heard the CSO sound so lush, and that is entirely due to Boulez. This is a definite must for anyone who loves 20th century ballet.

Fantastic Full-Length Firebird!.......2002-07-21

Another great disc from Pierre Boulez and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! Packed full of electric energy, this disc is a great reminder that the Firebird is, first and foremost, a ballet and not simply an orchestral showpiece. Stravinksy's music bristles with movement, which is accentuated by Deutsche Grammophon's brilliant soundscape. For 46 minutes the listener is transported through the intangible world of good and evil. When Stravinsky drops you throught the portal on the other side at the finale 'Rejoicing', there can be no doubt that good has triumphed. This is some of the best music ever written. It is a pleasure to hear it in its entirety. The orchestral fantasy 'Fireworks' is a perfect encore to the Firebird with its jubilant percolations. The four Etudes are more modern in tone, but make a delightful curtain closer. "Madrid" especially will capture your attention. In short, this is a Stravinsky disc not to be overlooked!

Boulez's Electrifying Interpretation of Stravinsky.......2001-05-31

Pierre Boulez and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra have wrought one of the most emotionally stirring recordings I have heard of Stravinsky's Firebird ballet score. It crackles with warmth, energy, and enthusiasm from the very first note. Boulez's dramatic reading is the latest is a series of exceptional recordings he's made of Stravinsky's music; clearly he's one of its foremost interpreters. Although the Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays brilliantly for its music director, Daniel Barenboim, I have been struck by their exceptional level of playing for Boulez. I doubt I have heard the brass section sparkle with refined, elegant playing as I have heard on Boulez's Chicago Symphony Orchestra recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. The two pieces which follow the rarely heard original Firebird score sound just as radiant too.

This is the joy that the only the CSO & Stravinsky can bring.......2000-07-07

The CSO never disapoints me in the quality of its recordings. I am amazed by this recording. I have seen them preform the Firebirds twice and know that few things are as refined yet passionate as their Firebirds.

This recording is the best Ihave heard and I have listened too different recordings at record stores. This is to good to be true. The trombone and trumpeters are superb in there tempo and dynamics. The basson and oboe haunting and unsurpassed. And the strings and purcussion are perfect. This music is so suttle that it can easly be overpowered by poor dymanic control or imperfect timing, this does not happen her.

CSO KUDOS AGAIN!

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