Conducts Stravinsky

1. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1947 version) Scene 1: the Shove-tide Fair
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Igor Stravinsky

2. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1947 version) Scene 2: Petrushka's Room
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Igor Stravinsky

3. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1947 version) Scene 4: the Grand Carnival
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Igor Stravinsky

4. Piano-Rag-Music, for piano
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
with Igor Stravinsky

5. Ragtime, for 11 instruments
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
with Aladar Racz
Conducted by Igor Stravinsky

6. Pulcinella, suite for orchestra excerpt
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Igor Stravinsky

7. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra
Composed by Igor Stravinsky
Performed by New York Philharmonic Symphony Orchestra Conducted by Igor Stravinsky

Tracks:

Petrushka - Tableau I: The Shrove -Tide Fair: Beginning
Petrushka - Tableau I: The Shrove-Tide Fair: The Crowds
Petrushka - Tableau I: The Shrove-Tide Fair: The Charlatan's Booth
Petrushka - Tableau I: The Shrove-Tide Fair: Russian Dance
Petrushka: Tableau II: Petrushka's Room
Petrushka - Tableau III: The Moor's Room: Beginning
Petrushka - Tableau III: The Moor's Room: Dance Of The Ballerina
Petrushka - Tableau III: The Moor's Room: Waltz (Ballerina and Moor)
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove - Tide Fair (Near Evening): Beginning
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove - Tide Fair (Near Evening): Dance Of The Nursemaids
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove-Tide Fair (Near Evening): Dance Of The Peasant And The Bear
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove-Tide Fair (Near Evening): Petrushka - Dance Of The Gypsy Girls
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove -Tide Fair (Near Evening): Dance Of The Coachmen and Grooms
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove - Tide Fair (Near Evening): The Masqueraders
Petrushka - Tableau IV: The Shrove-Tide Fair (Near Evening): Conclusion (Petrushka's Death)
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth: Introduction
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I. The Adoration Of the Earth: Dances of the Young Girls
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth: Mock Abduction
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth: Spring Round Dance
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth: Games of the Rival Tribes
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth: Procession Of The Wise Elder
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring: Adoration Of The Earth (The Wise Elder)
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part I: The Adoration Of The Earth: Dance Of The Earth
Le Sacre Du Printemps -The Rite Of Spring - Part II: The Sacrifice: Introduction
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part II: The Sacrifice: Mystical Circles Of The Young Girls
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring _ Part II: The Sacrifice: Glorification Of The Chosen Victim
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part II: The Sacrifice: Summoning Of The Ancients
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part II: The Sacrifice: Ritual Of The Ancients
Le Sacre Du Printemps - The Rite Of Spring - Part II: The Sacrifice: Sacrificial Dance

Amazon.com

Whatever the limitations of Stravinsky's baton technique, no one else on disc conjures the same bustling excitement at the outset of Petrouchka. Overlapping, polyrhythmic textures in Petrouchka and in Le Sacre du Printemps come off with Mozartian lucidity, Mendelssonian lightness, and, well, Stravinsky-esque rhythmic exactitude (notwithstanding a few hesitant entrances). The clarity partly stems from the composer's use of his leaner revised scores, helped by close-up, analytical mike work by CBS. There are, of course, slicker, more sonically opulent versions of these 20th century landmarks. And then there are Stravinsky's. --Jed Distler

Customer Reviews:

Najinsky who?!.......2007-03-09

Nobody does Mr. S like Mr. S. These albums that came out on Columbia are still the ultimate. Why would anyone else bother to try to match the master? This guy was a freaking genius, for goodness sake. You other guys get a life.

Hermann and Stravinsky.......2006-10-10

I hadn't listened to Le Sacre du Printemps in a couple of decades. This recording was like hearing it for the first time.

With nothing to add to the other reviews, I just want to note that when I got to "Harbingers of Spring (Dances of the Young Girls and Boys)," I was struck by the similarity between parts of it and Bernard Hermann's soundtrack for Psycho. One more example of how mid-century US film and and television scoring was influenced by late-19th and early 20th century composers (listen to Debussy's Images in this context).

Powerful rendition.......2004-10-08

This version of the Rite of Spring, is quite simply one of the best versions out there. Stravinsky summons the raw, primitive power, and emotional intensity of this work, and gives it a fresh, almost light touch, very different from other versions of this work. The Petruska is also very good, but Stravinsky tends to take everything at a slightly too quick pace.
(Note for Robert Lewis: very few people interested in classical music would be ignorant enough to attempt to nap to the Rite of Spring, one of the most violent works ever written.)

From the Master.......2004-03-29

I had the great good fortune to attend a concert of Stravinsky's music partially conducted by Stravinsky himself in Beverly Hills, CA. I don't remember the exact year, but it would have been in the late '60s. In other words, just a few years before his passing.
He shared conducting duties with his long-time associate, Robert Craft.

Because of his obvious age and frailty, it was expected he would sort of ceremoniously conduct one or perhaps two of his shorter works, leaving the bulk of the concert to Craft. Imagine my, and the audience's astonishment when we saw in the program that Maestro Stravinsky would be the conductor for several works, culminating in the concluding work on the program, "Le Sacre du printemps".

When the time came for "Le Sacre", the maestro, assisted and with some difficulty, made his way to the podium, at which he, not surprisingly, sat. He gazed at the score for a long moment. Slowly, his gaze rose from the score to his orchestra, which he observed for a few seconds, which seemed like hours. The audience grew silent with expectation. Slowly, deliberately, he raised his baton. And it began. What followed for the next 30 plus minutes was one of the most electrifying, galvanizing, and thrilling performances of anything I have ever seen or heard in my life, before or since.

After the concert I made it a point to chat with several friends of mine who were in the orchetra. I suggested that the orchestra must have been well prepared by Robert Craft so that Maestro Stravinsky would be better able to conserve his energy. To a man (and woman) they assured me that absolutely the opposite was the case. The portions of the concert, including "Le Sacre" that Stravinsky was to conduct were rehearsed, in total, by Stravinsky himself. In addition, Stravinsky attended the rehearsals for the balance of the program and had no problem contributing whatever he felt was necessary to the procedings. They also found him to be extremely alert and utterly charming.

How can I recommend anyone else's performance of "Le Sacre du printemps"? There is only one, and this is it.

WOW!.......2004-03-01

I would like to inform "Mr. Robert Lewis" that when writing a review for a classical album you must critique the performance on just that: the performance, not the music itself; the interpretation of the music.

Customer Reviews:

The Definitive "Firebird"!!.......2004-06-28

There are numerous recordings available of Igor Stravinsky's ballet masterwork "The Firebird" however, the 1961 "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky" recording available on this disc is one that eclipses all other versions. The recording was performed by The Columbia Symphony and is presented in its complete length of nearly 43-minutes (most other recordings present "The Firebird" in a suite lasting only 25-minutes). The performance under Stravinsky's baton is nothing short of breathtaking. The piece's dynamics, shifting rhythms and unprecidented beauty are all clearly defined and wonderfully executed.
Also included on the disc are two Scherzo pieces ("Scherzo a la Russe" and "Scherzo Fantastique Op.3") along with a recording of "Fireworks", a piece composed for the wedding of the daughter of Stravinsky's friend and teacher Nicolai Rimsky-Korsakov. These three shorter works also include Stravinsky's signature rhythms and dynamic orchestrations (especially in the "Scherzo Fantastique" which echoes "The Firebird" in some spots).
This is a fantastic CD of some of Stravinsky's finest work conducted by the composer himself. Hearing Stravinsky conduct his own work brings a certain authenticity to the music. You hear exactly the way the composer wishes the music to be executed.
If you enjoy this, pick the other two discs in the "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky" series ("Petrushka/The Rite Of Spring" and "Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in C/Symphony in Three Movements"). These recordings are just as refreshing and exciting as "The Firebird".

Essential Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky.......2003-07-28

Unfortunately, we will never get to hear Bach play the organ, or Mozart the piano, or Beethoven conduct the 5th Symphony. But thanks to the advent of recording technology, we have been able to hear the great composers of the 20th Century play and conduct their own work. Sadly, recordings of the likes of Elgar, Strauss and Rachmaninov are all in early mono, but there are several brilliant stereo recordings available by Copland and Stravinsky. These recordings of "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky" were made for CBS in the early 1960s, and along with two other discs (featuring the Rite of Spring with Petrushka, and the other one the Symphonies), are absolutely essential for serious fans of classical music. Often composers were not the best conductors of their own work (their expertise was first and foremost in composing), but they are nonetheless a vital document of their creative and versatile talents. For serious Stravinsky fans I would recommend getting both the Decca Stravinsky Box Set conducted by Ernest Ansermet (see my review), and the three CBS Masterworks titles of "Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky." That way you can compare and contrast, and determine for yourself whether Stravinsky himself was truly the best conductor of Stravinsky.

Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in 3 Movements

Average customer rating:

Emotional Music of Great Composer, Adequate Conductor
About as Good as Stravinsky (the composer) gets.
A prized recording
Essential
History more important than the Sound.

Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in 3 Movements

Manufacturer: CBS
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Petrouchka/ Le Sacre du Printemps
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Stravinsky: Le Sacre du printemps/L'Oiseau de feu/Jeu de cartes/Petrouchka/Pulcinella
Stravinsky: Rite Of Spring, Fireworks, Petrouchka / Ozawa, Tilson Thomas, Chicago Symphony

ASIN: B0000026GK
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

Symphony in Three Movements: I - Overture; Allegro
Symphony in Three Movements: II - Andante; Interlude: L'istesso tempo
Symphony in Three Movements: III - Con moto
Symphony In C: I - Moderato alla breve
Symphony In C: II - Larghetto concertante
Symphony In C: III - Allegretto
Symphony In C: IV - Largo; Tempo giusto, alla breve
Symphony Of Psalms: Part I
Symphony Of Psalms: Part II
Symphony Of Psalms: Part III

Amazon.com essential recording

Stravinsky was seldom the best conductor of his own music, but this disc of his three symphonies is an exception. In the first place, none of them are all that difficult to conduct--at least compared to some of his earlier works--and he seems to have been in particularly good form throughout these recording sessions. He gets a particularly enthusiastic response from his Canadian forces in the Symphony of Psalms--one of this century's great choral masterworks, and seems to really enjoy the neo-classical elegance of the Symphony in C. Of all of the individual releases from Sony's complete Stravinsky edition, this one has pride of place. --David Hurwitz

Customer Reviews:

Emotional Music of Great Composer, Adequate Conductor.......2007-07-21

Stravinksy was certainly passionate about his music and world's happenings, here exhibited by Symphony in Three Movements composed around world events of 40's.

Symphony in C was done during time of great illness for the composer, yet he persevered under commission.

Finally the Symphony of Psalms, based on his coming to faith in latter life, which is based around Psalm 150 and here energetically performed by Canadian choir. His choice of Latin is spot on I believe, giving an aura of poetic movement and grandeur to the piece. The allegro is favorite, with its vision of Elijah's chariot climbing after the swinging low descent.

About as Good as Stravinsky (the composer) gets........2007-01-16

After listening to several of his 'classical period' stuff, especially his operas, I was really pleased to listen to these works which contain elements which made his ballets the great works they are. Being a sucker for choral works, I especially liked the Symphonie of Psalms. Hurray for CD's of classic recordings.

A prized recording.......2004-07-07

Igor Stravinsky conducts three of his own masterpieces in this compilation of recordings from the 1960's. SYMPHONY IN THREE MOVEMENTS was inspired by wartime newsreels. The vitriolic outer movements show definite jazz and big-band influence - which the CBC orchestra glories in - while the second movement is of a classical tranquility and grace. The elegant SYMPHONY IN C was meant as a tribute to Haydn and Bach; but the haunting, unresolved bitonal chord that dissolves into silence in the end makes the work quintessentially modern. And the SYMPHONY OF PSALMS, one of the great religious works of the 20th century, is heavenly music; Stravinsky and his forces give it an austere reading of almost chamber-music clarity. These performances leave nothing to be desired. This CD has become one of my most prized recordings.

Essential.......2004-05-26

Who better to interpret a composer's music than the composer himself? This CD is an excellent introduction to these 20th-century masterworks. THREE MOVEMENTS bristles with explosive energy and PSALMS is austere and perfectly controlled, the lines of polyphony in the second movement coming through with extraordinary clarity. Not only is this a great recording, but it is an important historical document which tells us how Stravinsky intended these works to sound. As such, it could be an important reference to other conductors. I enjoyed this recording very much and I highly recommend it.

History more important than the Sound........2001-01-12

OK, so this recording was made a long time ago, and it shows.

Never mind! You will never hear grander performances of these three works. Who better to interpret Stravinsky's music than the composer himself?

The two orchestral symphonies are wonderful, but the prize on this recording is the Symphony of Psalms. The first time I ever heard the piece was at a San Francisco Symphony concert with Stravinsky conducting-- an electrifying experience. This recording, though it's of a different performance, captures that moment perfectly. I can close my eyes and see Stravinsky's tight, coiled beat-- can watch the concertmaster's eyes as he was transfixed by the composer's every move-- can see the awe-struck chorus members as they nervously blended with the orchestra.

And I can relive that moment when the sound died finally away and the audience leaped as one person to its feet.

Customer Reviews:

Minneapolis Symphony Shines Again.......2005-11-11

This box set of recordings by the Minneapolis Symphony Orchestra (known today as the Minnesota Orchestra) is a dream come true for anyone who grew up hearing this magnificent group either live or on LP. Listeners cannot help but be impressed by their remarkable clarity, rhythmic vitality, and artful precision (dare I call it the "Minneapolis Sound"?)- especially when you consider that these recordings were made in the 50s and 60s on the stage of Northrup Auditorium at the University of Minnesota.

Antal Dorati had a keen ear for orchestral color, and this collection is a lasting testament to his instincts. Anyone who reveres the old recordings by such conductors as Ormandy, Bernstein, Reiner, Szell, et al., are highly encouraged to check out this collection. The hauntingly exotic "Seven Studies on Themes of Paul Klee" by Gunther Schuller (commissioned by the Orchestra) is an all-too-rare gem that deserves to be heard - a modern-day "Pictures at an Exhibition".

Dorati carried his concepts of color over to his recordings with the London Symphony Orchestra, as the Stravinsky and Prokofiev selections will attest.

I encourage audiophiles to discover one of those "other" orchestras from "back then". I think it will be a "sound" investmment.

Dorati's MLP Gems Are Back!.......2005-10-03

Those familiar with my reviews on Amazon know of my great love for the Mercury Living Presence series. Equally great is my disgust that so many of these brilliant recordings have been deleted in the last few years! Thankfully, some of these legendary performances are resurfacing, and while the single disc SACD Hybrid titles are unfortunately listed at full-price, it is wonderful to see the various multi-disc sets basically being sold at budget line. With this 5CD reissue, some of Antal Dorati's legendary MLP recordings are restored to the catalog, as all of the original single issue CDs of these titles had all gone out-of-print over the last few years. To illustrate how prized these recordings are by collectors, if you wanted to buy these five titles just a few months ago in the Amazon Marketplace it would have cost you four times the price of this new set! Buying this collection for Dorati's accounts of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring and Petrouchka alone is worthwhile, as they are two of those works greatest performances. Of course getting memorable recordings of Strauss' Till Eulenspiegel, Don Juan, Death & Transfiguration and the conductor's own Suite from Der Rosenkavalier; Prokofiev's 5th Symphony and Suites from Scythian and Love for Three Oranges; Albeniz' Iberia Suite along with Falla, Moussorgsky and Smetana excerpts; and Gershwin's American in Paris, Copland's Rodeo Dances, and some wild Schuller and Bloch compositions (whew!) is just more to get excited about. Overall, it makes for quite an attractive package -- glorious golden age stereo recordings returned to the catalog at a very reasonable price. Once again, Mercury Living Presence lives!

Average customer rating:

Stravinsky the Composer, not Stravinsky the Conductor
Staggering! All the Stravinsky I'll ever need!
Magnificent!
Where's my Petrushka?
legendary

Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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Original Jacket Collection: Vladimir Horowitz
Memories and Commentaries: New One-Volume Edition

ASIN: B000031X11
Release Date: 1999-12-07

Customer Reviews:

Stravinsky the Composer, not Stravinsky the Conductor.......2006-09-18

It is a pretty good collection, lots of music from Stravinsky's entire carreer, but one must keep in mind that Stravinsky was a brilliant composer, and not a commanding maestro. You will not necessarily be getting the best recordings of these works. For example, something like the Boulez/Cleveland Rite of Spring is far superior to those in this collection. He is a vastly better conductor, and is much more capable of making the orchestra perform Stravinsky's intentions than Stravinsky is. All in all, however, I am more than glad I own this set.

Staggering! All the Stravinsky I'll ever need!.......2006-05-20

While I had heard some Stravinsky compositions prior to my purchase, this was the first (and only) Stravinsky material I have ever owned. As a young music enthusiast, the draw to me was to hear these pieces as Stravinsky conducted them and to get so many of them at such a great price, not to have the original jackets for the purpose of reminiscing. So, as someone who needed a good jump start into the works of Stravinsky (by Stravinsky), this set has proven totally invaluable. And while more information could have been packed onto these cds, I do appreciate how closely these discs have stuck to the original releases. I don't know about the portion of Petroushka which some reviewers claim is missing (as I don't know any other version), but I was totally blown away at hearing this version of Petroushka anyhow. In all, for whatever faults some sticklers may find here or there with this set, the value of this material collected in such a way (and at such a price) by far outweighs any possible faults.

Magnificent!.......2006-03-02

A great collection. There is simply no substitute for hearing Stravinsky as the great composer wanted to have his music played. Here is so much and also so varied a collection. I have been enjoying this set a great deal. One of the 20th century's greatest composers conducting his own compositions.

Where's my Petrushka?.......2003-08-01

The main reason I bought this box is because I was introduced to Stravinsky's Petrushka in the spring of 2003, and I loved it.
Along with Rite of Spring I think it's the most brilliant music Mr. Stravinsky ever wrote...so, I've been listening to the 34-minute long 1960 CSO recording of it at least once a day since I first heard it, naturally sort of memorizing it, but it didn't fit when I made this CD spin. The recording of Petrushka in this box is the VERY SAME RECORDING (1960) that I'd listened to, but it's cut to a suite! It's only 24 minutes long. You can tell it's obviously cut at certain points if you're familiar with the uncut version. 10 WHOLE MINUTES ARE MISSING FROM "PETRUSHKA!" I was (and still am) very disappointed by this.
Familiarizing myself with the rest of the discs was very fulfilling, though; I love the Ebony Concerto with the Columbia Jazz Combo featuring Benny Goodman...but the "suite-cut" of Petrushka made me paranoid...I can't be sure if anything else is edited or not...
There are 75 pages of notes in the booklet about the recordings but only 1/3 is in English.
The special multimedia feature disc is nothing much. With awful graphics it features the same notes as in the booklet, and there are lyrics for those who want to use the box for karaoke.
These 400 minutes of music (an average of 45 minutes per disc) could fit on only 5 CD's instead of 9, but it seems that this collection is made for nostaligs who will love watching and touching these tiny LP-jackets - after all, it is called the "Original Jacket Collection."
Incidentally, all of Stravinsky's recorded work which he conducted himself is not in this box. It is not at all complete; aside from the missing part of "Petrushka," his own reading of "Symphony in Three Movements" is missing (but available on CBS.)
Hats off to the man himself anyway. The music is brilliant, and considering that these recordings are 40+ years old, the sound quality is very good. Excellent stereophony on Rite of Spring!
It's a good thing that his music is still available and that people are offering refurbished products thereof. But if you love Petrushka like I do...buy the real thing...this just might disappoint you...
The 3 stars is a compromise of the music and the package; (5 stars for the music & its quality - 1 star for the package, choice of discs and--considering the price--somewhat weak linear notes.)

legendary.......2002-06-30

This 9 cd set is an historical one...more than half of Stravinsky's works are collected in this set. i clearly can say that there isn't any better recording for Stravinsky's works. especcialy first released USA's national anthem and a 12 tone work "Fanfare for two Trumpets" are remarkable.and we can also mention that some noises during the recording procces (i.e: Stravinsky's turning the page of the partition) gives a different taste to the listener. This is a real golden box of music.

Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: The Mono Years 1952-1955

Average customer rating:

The fusion of two composers through the times!
Essential recording for a Stravinsky library
A must for lovers of Stravinsky's music

Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: The Mono Years 1952-1955

Manufacturer: Sony
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

Octets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

Septets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Le baiser de la Fee: Scene I - Prologue
Le baiser de la Fee: Scene II: A Village Fete
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Le baiser de la Fee: Scene III: Pas de deux -- Entree
Le baiser de la Fee: Scene III: Adagio
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Le baiser de la Fee: Scene III: Scene
Le baiser de la Fee: Scene IV: Epilogue - (Berceuse Of The Eternal Dwellings)
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Symphony In C: II Larghetto
Symphony In C: III Allegretto
Symphony In C: IV Largo, Tempo giusto, alla breve
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Tracks:

Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Overture: Allegro moderato
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Serenata. Larghetto
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Scherzino. Allegro
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Pio - Allegro
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Andantino
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Ancora poco meno ('Contento forse')
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro assai
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro - alla breve ('Con queste')
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Andante ('Sento dire')
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro ('Nce sta')
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Presto ('Una te fallan')
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro - alla breve
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Tarantella
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Andantino ('Se tu m' ami')
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Gavotta (Allegro moderato)
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Variation Ia. Allegretto
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Variation IIa. Allegro pito moderato
Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Vivo
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Pulcinella - (Ballet With Song In One Act After Pergolesi - Complete): Allegro assai
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: The Soldierr's March
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Soldier At The Brook
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Pastorale
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: The Royal March
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: The Little Concerto
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Three Dances: Tango
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Three Dances: Waltz
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Three Dances: Ragtime
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: The Devil's Dance
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Chorale
L' Histoire du Soldat - Suite: Triumphal March Of The Devil
Octet For Wind Instruments: I Sinfonia
Octet For Wind Instruments: II Tema con variazioni
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione A
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione B
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione A
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione C
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione D
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione A
Octet For Wind Instruments: Variazione E
Octet For Wind Instruments: Finale (Tempo giusto)

Amazon.com

Stravinsky recorded many of his works more than once, becoming more adept as a conductor as the years went by. These recordings from the 1950s are not his last word and sometimes (most notably with the singers in Pulcinella) the performance falls far short of his later, stereo remakes. But at their best, particularly in the Octet and the L'Histoire du Soldat suite, these performances are dazzling. They reflect a time when Stravinsky was younger and more vigorous than in the stereo era, and they deserve to be well known. --Joe McLellan

Customer Reviews:

The fusion of two composers through the times!.......2005-08-11

Pulcinella: a "ballet with songs" in one act and eight scenes, was composed in 1919-1920. The relation between both composers Pergolesi and Stravinsky is far from being obscure. There's an admirable blending process: The instrumentation is purely Stravinsky and the melodies are all by Giovanni Baptista. Even the forms of the individual pieces sometimes have been lifted whole and without change from Pergolesi, but other times they have been expanded or remodeled to a very considerable degree.
Stravinsky remembers the production of Pulcinella at the Paris opera in 1920, as one of his most theatrical experiences. Imagine the prodigious spectacle: scenery and costumes by Picasso and Ernest Ansermet conducting: A true God's dish.
In this recording we have to the composer in front of one of the most dynamical orchestras at that special moment. Recorded in December 14, 1953, Severance Hall, Cleveland.
The exquisite cast included Mary Simmons, Soprano, Glenn Schnittke, Tenor and Phillip MacGregor, Bass.
The kiss of the fairy has other superior readings such Ansermet Suisse Romande for instance and I guess The Symphony in C is interesting but without dazzling spirit.
But the collection is important for all hard collector that wishes to follow the traces of the music in the XX Century.
A historical issue all the way.

Essential recording for a Stravinsky library.......2000-06-29

Igor Stravinsky proves in these recordings that he was a master conductor of his own music. The Pulcinella complete ballet has never sounded so vibrant. The Symphony in C is crisp and energetic with its fourth movement final chorale very poignant. Add the Octet, the Tchaikovskian Fairy's Kiss, and the suite from L'Histoire and you have two very full discs of authoritative Stravinsky. Sony has taken these gems from the early to mid 50s Columbia Masterworks Catalog, remastered the Severance Hall recordings,and has put an excellent package around it. Tim Page may be one of the best writers on music around and these liner notes are no exception. The mono sound is perfectly serviceable. Get this one quick!

A must for lovers of Stravinsky's music.......2000-06-22

This is a truly fantastic CD. I had heard that the early 50s Stravinsky led recordings of his own music were wonderful but I had no idea that they were this good. All of the selections on this two CD package are wonderful; in the case of the Symphony in C, L'Histoire du Soldat, and Pulcinella, they could be first choices for your library. The packaging by Sony Classical is first-rate. Scoop this up before it goes out of print.

Average customer rating:

Antal Dorati conducts Ballet

Manufacturer: Dutton Labs UK
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

Ballets | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

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The Complete Decca Reordings of Ataúlfo Argenta, 1953-1957

ASIN: B000BRPXOA
Release Date: 2006-07-11

Tracks:

I. Opening Scherzo - Entry And Dance Of The Princess
II. Ensemble And Lamento (Dance Of The Prince)
III. Grand Valse
IV. The Hundred Kisses - Entry Of The King, And Closing Scene
Dances Slaves Et Tziganes
I. Entree
II. Adagio
III. Variation
IV. Coda
I. Menuet Pompeux 'La Toilette'
II. Scherzo - Valse 'Dance Des Chapeaux'
III. Idylle 'Les Mains Du Destin'
IV. Danse Villageoise 'Grand Ronde Et Final'
I. Lecon - Menuet
II. Larghetto - Rondo - Dispute
III. Presto - Pastorale - Danse Allemande
IV. Scene Du Notaire - Finale

Christopher Hogwood Conducts Martinu, Stravinsky, Honegger

Average customer rating:

Christopher Hogwood Conducts Martinu, Stravinsky, Honegger

Manufacturer: Arte Nova Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

General | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

Modern & 20th Century | Symphonies | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Classical | Styles | Music

General | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music

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Klassizische Moderne, Vol. 3
Klassizische Moderne, Vol. 2
Martinu: Works for Violins and Orchestra
Martinu: Fantaisies symphoniques; Fresques; Juliette
Music For The Theatre, Vol. 1

ASIN: B0007PLKSY
Release Date: 2005-03-08

Tracks:

I. Toccata
II. Canzone No.1
III. Canzone No.2
I. Vivace
II. Arioso: Andantino
III. Rondo: Allegro
I. Lento E Misterioso
II. Larghetto
III. Allegro

Album Description

"Christopher Hogwood leads near ideal performances of all three items, and they respond well to his crisp, period-instrument-influenced approach...wholly recommendable." (9/9 rating!)-CLASSICS TODAY

"a useful compilation of three excellent pieces: some orchestras might give glossier performances, but these are beautifully pointed and incisively characterised. The Stravinsky is a classic, of course, but the other two items, less familiar, are quite at ease in its company. The Martinu is one of the finest of his later chamber-orchestra works, with a particularly eloquent finale; but the delight of the disc is Honegger's lambently glowing Symphony, one of his most personal and loveable utterances, which Hogwood interprets with patent affection." (****/**** rating!)-BBC MUSIC MAGAZINE

Customer Reviews:

Excellent Stravinsky in Spectacular Sound.......2005-11-21

This CD, led by Paavo Järvi and played by the Bremen Chamber Orchestra, is in simply stunning sound, no matter which format you play it in. It is, of course, in hybrid multichannel SACD, which is among the best sounding I've ever heard, but its plain vanilla CD layer is also quite wonderful. The performances themselves are really quite good. 'L'Histoire du soldat' may be a little smooth for some tastes, considering the rustic nature of the story (and that the Soldier is a peasant fiddler, not a conservatory-trained violinist) but if you don't mind the beautiful playing of Florian Donderer (and, really, why should you?) this is an excellent 'L'Histoire.' (Järvi includes the 'Petit choral' which is generally left out of the 'L'Histoire' suite.) As for the other pieces, they are all played as well as I've ever heard them - and I own Stravinsky's own recordings of some of them. I particularly liked the 'Dumbarton Oaks Concerto' - one of my favorite Stravinsky pieces - for its crisp motoric rhythms and suave string playing. The 'Concerto in D' for strings is given a similar performance.

The two 'Suites for Small Orchestra' are brief, satirical and are handled lightly and with rhythmic point. 'Ragtime' is given a suitably dry reading. I have always assumed Stravinsky was sending up the genre but you might feel otherwise. In any event, it is played with bracing secco approach and that's entirely appropriate.

These are worthwhile performances in spectacular sound, and in the instance of the 'Dumbarton Oaks' and the 'Concerto in D,' at least, I don't know of any better recordings.

Scott Morrison

Track Listings:

Track Listings

Largely Live in Hartlepool and Manchester [Live]

Hot Coko

Fiesta Musical: A Musical Adventure Through Latin America for Children

Hensel-Mendelssohn: The Year

Guitar Picker/Finger Pickin' Good

Escucha [Special Edition]

Heroes

Leafy Mysteries [CD-single] [Live] [Import]

Intensiv [Import]

From Greece With Love

Made In Japan: The Remastered Edition