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

Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Igor Stravinsky (Conductor), Columbia Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), CBC Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Columbia Symphony Orchestra, CBC Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Igor Stravinsky
• Composer: Igor Stravinsky
• Audio CD (October 25, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: CBS / Sony
• ASIN: B0000026GK
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #8,876 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #10 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Symphonies > Modern & 20th Century
  • #12 in Music > Classical > Historical Periods > Modern, 20th, & 21st Century > Forms & Genres > Symphonies
  • #24 in Music > Classical > Forms & Genres > Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music > Tone Poems

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

41 of 42 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Conductor-Proof Stravinsky: The Best of the Best, October 8, 2000

By 

TUCO H. "H. TUCO" (Los Angeles, CA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in 3 Movements (Audio CD)

Stravinsky's version of "Symphony of Psalms" is MUCH, MUCH better than the Bernstein version picked over it in the Penguin Classical guide. It's odd that Stravinsky himself liked Bernstein's interpretation of his famous piece, considering his openly stated horror of 'interpretations' (such as Karajan's and Stokowoski's) and his life-long quest to write conductor-proof music, because his own version couldn't be more different; it has all the rough edges, rhythmic vitality, sense of danger, and precisely controlled tempos that Bernstein's lacks. Bernstein's version is for sleepwalkers only.

In fact, "The Firebird" is the only piece Stravinsky conducted himself which I've heard conducted better by others (Dorati's version picked over it in the Penguin Guide is one of them). Stravinsky's own Symphony in C is peerless, so is the Rite-of-Spring-like Symphony in 3 movements. After I'm done listening to and being disappointed by everything else and want something that really digs deep and 'balances my soul,' as it were, I always come back to good old Stravinsky; and man, am I glad he's there!

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Stravinsky, March 15, 2000

By 

Juan Keledjian (MIAMI, FL USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in 3 Movements (Audio CD)

I can't agree with that opinion about Stravinsky's bad conduction. I've heard most of the few versions available of his Symphony of Salms, and when I got this one, I had to trash the others. The deep and profound double fugue is astonishing; the phrasing of the melody puts other versions to shame. It's both spiritual and scaring, and the sound competes with modern versions. I would also recommend Stravinsky's version of his Rite of Spring, on the same series, the only version you can really hear the true primitive and percussive character of this piece. The opportunity of listening masterpieces like these conducted by the composer and still having an excellent interpretation and sound quality is one in a lifetime. Don't miss this one.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars History more important than the Sound., January 12, 2001

By 

Warlen Bassham (Bothell, WA United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Symphony of Psalms/Symphony in 3 Movements (Audio CD)

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.

If music can change people (and it can), then this music will change people forever.