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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
7 of 7 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
...not because it's sub-standard but because these dazzling recordings are now available on a much better 2-disc set, coupled with equally strong accounts of The Rite of Spring and Apollo...Stravinsky: Le sacre du printemps/ Petrushka / L'Oiseau de feu / Apollo You'll lose the Symphony in Three Movements (buy Rattle's BPO recording with the Symphony 'in C' and 'of Psalms' instead) and a couple of minor pieces (although the Scherzo a la Russe is quite fun), but it's much better value.
On the other hand, if (like me) these works would fill a gap in your library then you should snap this set up without hesitation. I doubt there is a better sounding complete Firebird on record. The thrilling impact of the Infernal Dance and the Finale, for example, reminds me just what a great sound the Birmingham orchestra could make under Rattle. The pianissimo passages are just as special; try the hushed strings before the Finale. I doubt he could improve on this showing, even with Berlin forces, and EMI always seem to sound better in Birmingham or London than they do in Berlin's Philharmonie, for some reason. Petrushka is an extraordinary display of Rattle's legendary ear for immaculate detail and dynamics. At this point in his career (1986/7) it hadn't yet become a borderline-obsession to the occasional detriment of the music. The piano part is taken by none other than Peter Donohoe.
All the works pre-date Symphony Hall and were recorded in warm, clear sound at the University of Warwick Arts Centre.
I've always found Rattle's Stravinsky extremely rewarding and thoroughly recommendable, but hunt around and mix and match the best combinations.
On the other hand, if (like me) these works would fill a gap in your library then you should snap this set up without hesitation. I doubt there is a better sounding complete Firebird on record. The thrilling impact of the Infernal Dance and the Finale, for example, reminds me just what a great sound the Birmingham orchestra could make under Rattle. The pianissimo passages are just as special; try the hushed strings before the Finale. I doubt he could improve on this showing, even with Berlin forces, and EMI always seem to sound better in Birmingham or London than they do in Berlin's Philharmonie, for some reason. Petrushka is an extraordinary display of Rattle's legendary ear for immaculate detail and dynamics. At this point in his career (1986/7) it hadn't yet become a borderline-obsession to the occasional detriment of the music. The piano part is taken by none other than Peter Donohoe.
All the works pre-date Symphony Hall and were recorded in warm, clear sound at the University of Warwick Arts Centre.
I've always found Rattle's Stravinsky extremely rewarding and thoroughly recommendable, but hunt around and mix and match the best combinations.
0 of 1 people found the following review helpful
Format:Audio CD
A worthwhile addition to my collection. I cannot fault the recording or the performance in any way (and of course, we are talking the CBSO under Simon Rattle here). If I may voice an opinion regarding the actual music, is it fair to say that Stravinsky's early works owe spmething to Rimsky-Korsakoff?
Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)
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2 reviews
4 of 5 people found the following review helpful
Prepare for Full Dynamics
24 Feb 2008
Format:Audio CD
This CD offers a very nice slice of Igor's output--it's esp. good to have a complete, original 1910 version of "The Firebird," (thought I'll admit to being a little disappointed with the rendering of that great, whirling passage in the Introduction that must have been pinched for the opening bar of the ancient "Batman" TV series...).
And it's a good value for two discs.
But be warned: the recording sounds excellent, but it is done with "full dynamic range"; I have to double the volume to hear the quiet passages, and then the loud moments become earth-shaking. Yes, I've tried both discs in multiple stereo systems. I don't mind this kind of fully-immersed listening from time to time, but it is not always convenient, and this disc suffers for that. I hope the very pure are not dissuaded by this complaint--I salute you for supporting the producer's boldness, and ignoring this listener's timidity.
And it's a good value for two discs.
But be warned: the recording sounds excellent, but it is done with "full dynamic range"; I have to double the volume to hear the quiet passages, and then the loud moments become earth-shaking. Yes, I've tried both discs in multiple stereo systems. I don't mind this kind of fully-immersed listening from time to time, but it is not always convenient, and this disc suffers for that. I hope the very pure are not dissuaded by this complaint--I salute you for supporting the producer's boldness, and ignoring this listener's timidity.
5 of 8 people found the following review helpful
Great
17 July 2005
Format:Audio CD
I love listening to music with full scores, it makes the music more clearly and less confusing. I'm lucky that I purchased The Firebird (1910)Dover miniature score for a great price so I could follow the great masterpiece. I'm annoyed though that this recording comes with Petrushka (1947) because Dover only has the 1911 version, and I'm going to have to look somewhere else.
Besides the experience of actually seeing the music, the quality was excellent. The Introduction is ominous, the variation of the Firebird is playful, and the Round dance is beautiful. I didn't realy like that the Infernal Dance wasn't that thunderous and went a little too fast, but the hypnotic bercuse made up for it.
I love this recording.
Besides the experience of actually seeing the music, the quality was excellent. The Introduction is ominous, the variation of the Firebird is playful, and the Round dance is beautiful. I didn't realy like that the Infernal Dance wasn't that thunderous and went a little too fast, but the hypnotic bercuse made up for it.
I love this recording.
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