The Essential Igor Stravinsky [LIMITED EDITION]

John Reardon (Performer), Don Garrard (Performer), Donald Gramm (Performer), Peter Tracey (Performer), Benny Goodman (Performer), Charles Russo (Performer), Jack Kreiselman (Performer), Paul E. Howland (Performer), Igor Stravinsky (Composer), Esa-Pekka Salonen (Conductor), Igor Stravinsky (Conductor), Michael Tilson Thomas (Conductor), Robert Craft (Conductor), Columbia Jazz Combo (Performer), Colin Tilney (Performer), Jean Manning (Performer), Regina Sarfaty (Performer), CBC Symphony Orchestra (Orchestra), Cleveland Orchestra (Orchestra), Columbia Chamber Ensemble (Orchestra)

Product Details

• Performer: John Reardon, Don Garrard, Donald Gramm, Peter Tracey, Benny Goodman, et al.
• Orchestra: CBC Symphony Orchestra, Cleveland Orchestra, Columbia Chamber Ensemble
• Conductor: Esa-Pekka Salonen, Igor Stravinsky, Michael Tilson Thomas, Robert Craft
• Composer: Igor Stravinsky
• Audio CD (March 25, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 2
• Format: Limited Edition
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B00008NGAW
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #134,085 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Track Listings

Disc: 1

1. Fireworks (Feu D'artifice), fantasy for orchestra, Op. 4

2. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), ballet in 2 scenes for orchestra: Danse infernale de tous les sujets de Kastchei

3. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), ballet in 2 scenes for orchestra: Berceuse (l'Oiseau de feu)

4. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), ballet in 2 scenes for orchestra: Reveil de Kastchei

5. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), ballet in 2 scenes for orchestra: Mort de Kastchei - Profonds ténèbres

6. L'oiseau de feu (The Firebird), ballet in 2 scenes for orchestra: Disparition du palais et des sortilèges de Kastchei, animation des

7. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1911 version): Scene I - Opening

8. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1911 version): The Shrove-tide Fair

9. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1911 version): The Charlatan's Booth

10. Petrushka, ballet (burlesque) in 4 scenes for orchestra (1911 version): Russian Dance

See all 30 tracks on this disc

Disc: 2

1. Symphony of Psalms, for chorus & orchestra: Part 1. Exaudi orationem meam

2. Violin Concerto in D major: 4. Capriccio

3. Pastorale, song without words for violin & woodwind quartet

4. Jeu de cartes (Card Game), ballet in 'three deals' for orchestra: Premiere donne

5. Concerto for chamber orchestra in E flat major ('Dumbarton Oaks'): I. Tempo giusto

6. Symphony in C, for orchestra in C major: III. Allegretto

7. The Star-Spangled Banner, transcription for orchestra (after John Stafford Smith)

8. Norwegian Moods (4), for orchestra: I. Intrada

9. Circus Polka, for orchestra ('for a young elephant')

10. Scherzo à la Russe, for orchestra

See all 23 tracks on this disc

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

25 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A Fabulous Introduction to Igor Stravinsky!!, May 18, 2004

By	Louie Bourland (Garden Grove CA) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

Sony Music's "The Essential Igor Stravinsky" truly lives up to its title. This double-CD set includes nearly every important piece of work (either in part or in whole) by the great Russian composer. The set also presents the pieces in chronological order beginning in 1908 with "Fireworks" and ending in 1966 with his final piece, the short but simple "Owl and The Pussycat". In between, there are excerpts from Stravinsky's most famous works including the first part of "The Rite Of Spring" and highlights from the "Firebird" and "Petrushka" ballets. There are also lesser-known works included as well as his harmonically rearranged version of "The Star-Spangled Banner" (a rendition which caused a stir in the early 1940's). The entire collection concludes with a rare recorded interview with Igor Stravinsky himself in which he remembers the infamous premere of "The Rite Of Spring".
The CD booklet includes detailed liner notes as well as a written tribute by Trey Anastasio of the band Phish. The sound quality of the recordings is amazing (even on the historic 1934 recording of "Piano Rag Music"). All in all, this an excellent collection of works by the great Igor Stravinsky. In a sense, this compilation gives the composer the 'rock musician' treatment. It's a 'greatest hits' album and a career-spanning retrospective that serves as an ideal introduction to Igor's music. Even if your not a fan of Classical music, it isn't difficult to listen to the works of Stravinsky and not be stirred.
Definitely The Essential Igor Stravinsky!!!