Stravinsky: Symphonies

Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Georg Solti (Conductor), Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Chicago Symphony Chorus (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: Chicago Symphony Chorus
• Orchestra: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
• Conductor: Georg Solti
• Composer: Igor Stravinsky
• Audio CD (September 14, 1999)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Decca
• ASIN: B00001IVOO
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #103,056 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Solti conducts Stravinsky in one of his last recordings, March 27, 2000

By 

Michael A Pahre (Cambridge, MA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Stravinsky: Symphonies (Audio CD)

These three symphonies of Stravinsky were all commissioned by american orchestras between 1930 and 1945; the Symphony in C in particular was commisioned by the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, which performs in this recording. Stravinsky is well-known to have re-invented himself many times during his career, but these three works are not as dissimilar as one might think. The Symphony in Three Movements and all but the second movement of the Symphony in C are highly rhythmical, while the Symphony in Psalms is more lyrical, melodic, and often rhapsodic (sometimes even resembling music of Carl Orff). None of these works, however, is his best-known work (like Rite of Spring, L'Histoire du Soldat, etc.), but provide a glimpse into a bit darker, slightly less dramatic, but often more beautiful side of Stravinsky's output.

This repertoire is "standard" fare for the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, if that is possible, as it appears as though they could play the Symphony in Three Movements in their sleep (despite its difficult cross-rhythms). Their extremely tight ensemble playing and top-notch wind soloists are crucial for successful Stravinsky performance. Nonetheless, this was one of Solti's last recordings, and he shows some signs of age. The orchestra's cohesion in these 1993-7 recordings is not it was back in the 1970s. The microphone placement appears to be rather close for the Symphony in Three Movements, while more distant and warmer for the other recordings. But that Chicago Symphony sound and virtuosity comes through at all times and makes this an impressive and enjoyable CD.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Three very important works in fine performances, December 2, 2005

By 

Craig Matteson (Saline, MI) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stravinsky: Symphonies (Audio CD)

When one thinks about Stravinsky and works for orchestra it is his ballets that first spring to mind. However, he also wrote these three very different and wonderful symphonies. There is no doubt in my mind that Stravinsky was one of the greatest composers of the twentieth century even though he is not performed as much nowadays as he was (or will be in the decades to come). We are quite fortunate that many great recordings of his works exist, but too many are going out of print. So, take advantage of the availability of this disk and get it in your library.

This and a similar disk by Boulez came out in the late nineties. This has the Symphony of Psalms (1930 for the Boston Symphony - rev 1948), Symphony in C (1938-40 for the Chicago Symphony), and the Symphony in Three Movements (1942-45 for the New York Philharmonic). The Boulez disk has the Symphony of Psalms, the Symphony in Three Movements, but the Symponies of Wind Instruments rather than the Symphony in C. It is interesting that the notes for both CDs are quite similar and both written by Paul Griffiths. I recommend both disks. They both contain quality performances and it is interesting to compare the performances.

To my ear the Solti is more expressive and has the more elegant gestures, but has the odd ensemble flaw where the Boulez is more immaculately performed (and still expressive and beautiful). Listen to the way each conductor has the chorus sing the Alleluia in the Symphony of Psalms and you will hear exactly what I mean. Plus the difference in program justifies having both disks because the Symphony in C is ever popular with audiences and the Symphonies of Wind Instruments is a permanent favorite of mine.

The Symphony of Psalms is a magnificent work that has become a source of spiritual strength for many from the day of its first performance. Stravinsky takes the three psalms (39, 40, and 150) for the three movements, but makes them into one longer meditation of and prayer to and praising of God. I was fortunate to sing it with the Ann Arbor Cantata Singers with Thom Hilbish conducting. What a treat that was.

The Symphony in C has always been an audience favorite because it sounds so nice. However, there is a lot of meat here and you will find that careful listening and even study of the score will yield real rewards. It is a very important and wonderful work. It is not just a symphony in the old sense. It is more like a step removed and comments on the symphonic form by being one and not being one at the same time.

Much has been made of the way movies affected the creation of the Symphony in Three Movements. Stravinsky said the first was inspired by the horror of seeing a documentary on scorched earth conflict in China. The last inspired by the goose-stepping soldiers and the rise of the allies in Europe. The middle movement began life as music for a film Stravinsky had been hired to score. The problem is that Stravinsky always wrote music as the most important thing. He felt the film should be cut to his music rather than his music cut and reshaped for the film. So, that didn't work out. However, this is a piece of pure music rather than trying to present a "program". Knowing how this music was inspired might help some, but don't read too much into it. The horrors of the mid-twentieth century are certainly here in the outer movements, but there is also great beauty in the middle movement.

Strongly recommended (as is the Boulez disk).

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Elegant Sophistication with a touch of Genius, July 14, 2001

By 

Daniel R. Greenfield "Dan" (Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Stravinsky: Symphonies (Audio CD)

The three symphonies appear on this album in the reverse order in which they were written. Symphony of Psalms was written first, in 1930. It is widely considered to be one of Stravinsky's greatest works. The Symphony in C dates from the mid-thirties when Stravinsky was deep into his neo-classical period. Witty echoes of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven recur throughout this elegant work. The Symphony in Three Movements, dating from 1942, brings to mind the ballet music of Petrushka. Stravinsky seems to have been struggling to emerge from his ageing neo-classical style, and move beyond it. Whether he ever succeeded in this regard is still a matter of debate. Many believe that by the 40's Stravinsky's creative genius had died, and that his music was lacking in interest. Others maintain that these later works were actually better than the early ballet music.

Although I myself prefer the ballet music, this has been a consistently enjoyable album for me. It is not an easy album to enjoy, however, and it will take some time for honest appreciation to set in. Even though Solti and the CSO may not be at the top of their form on this album, it is a fine recording nonetheless, with excellent album graphics and high quality liner notes. The overall concept of putting all of Stravinsky's symphonies onto one album as a tribute to Solti makes this an essential recording for the discriminating collector.