Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Firebird Suite / Bernstein

Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Leonard Bernstein (Conductor), Israel Philharmonic Orchestra (Orchestra) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Orchestra: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra
• Conductor: Leonard Bernstein
• Composer: Igor Stravinsky
• Audio CD (July 24, 1990)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Deutsche Grammophon
• ASIN: B000001GDZ
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #264,250 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Track Listings

1. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Introduction

2. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Harbingers of Spring

3. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Ritual of Abduction

4. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Spring Rounds

5. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Games of the Rival T

6. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Procession of the Wi

7. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Wise Elder

8. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part I: The Adoration of the Earth: Dance of the Earth)

9. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part II: The Sacrifice: Introduction (Pagan Night)

10. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part II: The Sacrifice: Mystic Circles of the Young Girl

11. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part II: The Sacrifice: Glorification of the Chosen One

12. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part II: The Sacrifice: Summoning of the Ancients

13. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part II: The Sacrifice: Ritual of the Ancients

14. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part II: The Sacrifice: Sacrificial Dance (Chosen One)

15. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), concert suite for orchestra No. 2: No. 1 Introduction

16. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), concert suite for orchestra No. 2: No. 2 The Firebird and its dance

17. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), concert suite for orchestra No. 2: No. 3 Variation of the Firebird

18. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), concert suite for orchestra No. 2: No. 4 The princesses' khorovod

19. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), concert suite for orchestra No. 2: No. 5 Infernal dance of King Kaschei

20. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), concert suite for orchestra No. 2: No. 6 Lullaby

See all 21 tracks on this disc

Editorial Reviews

Israel Philharmonic Orchestra

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Shaftvinsky, September 17, 2000

By 

Christian Pieper (Beaver Dam, Kentucky) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Firebird Suite / Bernstein (Audio CD)

Bernstein's genius is evident in this recording of two of Stravinsky's greatest works, but it is not his best. His recording with the London Symphony Orchestra is much better stylistically and The NY Philharmonic's Firebird takes the cake. Buy this only if you can't find the Bernstein Century edition of these two works.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A masterful Firebird, but Le Sacre is variable, January 20, 2006

By 

Santa Fe Listener (Santa Fe, NM USA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)   

This review is from: Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Firebird Suite / Bernstein (Audio CD)

This CD couples Bernstein's 1982 remakes of two Stravinsky works that were stunning when he first recorded them, twenty years earlier, in New York. The Israel Phil. can be rated alongside a good German radio orchestra from Frankfurt or Cologne, which means that they are highly competent but not inspiring. DG's early digital sound, in the latest remastering at least, has lots of presence and impact without much digital glare.

As to the performances, the Firebird is at times quite inspiring. Bernstein phrases so beautifully n the quieter movements, often at somewhat broader tempos than usual, that the socre weaves a spell other conductors find hard to match. This isn't the flashiest Firebird ever recorded, but it's totally engaging, one of the late Bernstein's best Stravinsky readings.

The Le Sacre is hit or miss--from the opening wind solos led by the bassoon, we are aware that these musicians can't match those in the NY Phil. or London Sym., the two orchestras who played under LB in his earlier, spectacular Le Sacres for Sony. But he so completely owns the work that many moments emrerge with great impact. This isn't a brutal, visceral Le Sacre, despsite the thudding percussion and screaming dissonances. I would rate the best parts among the best I've ever heard, except that LB loses tension too often, and there are sagging tempos here and there. Certainly this Le Sacre deserves four stars, however, and perhaps the Firebird one more.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Rite Better Firebird, July 22, 2001

By 

A. Michaelson "A. Michaelson" (Bay Area, CA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stravinsky: Rite of Spring, Firebird Suite / Bernstein (Audio CD)

Leonard Bernstein's conducting, though not always to the composer's intentions is very passionate. In this recording of the Rite of Spring and the Firebird, I believe not only was Bernstein amazingly passionate, but he also stayed true to the composer's intentions. The performances of these extremely difficult pieces are very emotional and pulled off well, due in part to the fact that they are live performances. All of it is heard in amazing digital sound. Plus the liner notes are interesting. I've heard that Bernstein's interpretations with the London Symphony are even better. Though I've never heard them, I know they must be amazing because these totally blew me away. Forget Boulez's interpretation. Great as it may be, it doesn't compare to Bernsteins. The only one that I thought came close was Karajan's. BTY, I'd recommend buying these performances as part of DG's master's series rather than the LB Series, because for a few extra bucks you get another cd with two other Stravinsky works. Either one you choose, I'm sure you will not be disappointed.