Customer Reviews

Petrouschka

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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 and 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 and Pulcinella. Ansermet's recordings, which were both meticulous and 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 and sonically right through the LP era. Because The Firebird recording dates from 1955, Petrushka and Rite of Spring date from 1957, and 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, and pleasingly warm and 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; and of Petrushka, it was also Ansermet, on the full priced London label. These cd's replaced the LP's and I've never looked any further.

Very highly recommended!

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 !