Customer Reviews

Stravinsky: Orchestral Works

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Though each of the works on this new release has been recorded in different formats by numerous conductors and orchestras, this selection of Stravinsky purely orchestral chamber works as conducted by Dennis Russell Davies with the Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra jumps to the top of the 'best recordings' list!

Davies has the verve and sense of humor and compassion to make these rather disparate works ring. The opening work is the too rarely heard 'Monumentum Pro Gesualdo Di Venosa s Cd Annum', a simply gorgeous instrumental homage to Gesualdo's madrigals. The pitting of brass choirs against string and woodwind choirs creates the contrapuntal aspects of Gesualdo's music as though each section of the orchestra was placed in various positions in a cathedral.

The other works are far better known, but Davies infuses them with intelligence and style. 'Danses Concertantes' literally dance for him, the Concerto in D (Stravinsky's version of the 'concerto for orchestra' instead of a solo instrument backed by an ensemble) is classicism personified and the closing 'Apollon Musagete' is both languid and dramatic. The Stuttgart Chamber Orchestra is pitch perfect here and the recorded sound is first rate. Even if some of these works are in your library already, this recording is so fine that it should be added without reservation. Highly Recommended. Grady Harp, August 05

I really can't add much to what Grady has already said. I had boght the CD and left it in a pile of to-do stuff. I absent mindedly put it into my 5 CD SACD pleyer along with others I hadn't played in a while. When this one came I on I couldn't get to my player fast enough to see who it was doing this wonderful magic with Igor. This is at the top of anything I have of Igor and I have plenty. Enjoy. Highly recommended.