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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2019 16:26:58 GMT
I'm not sure of exactly when Stravinsky first took my interest, but it was most likely the Firebird that got me started. It is immensely likeable. Moving on to the Rite for me was not a big jump, the idiom of 'blocks of music' and 'call and response' fits well with me and, of course, is mirrored in much progressive rock, too. I love its episodic nature, the explosive outbursts, always controlled yet otherworldly. Pagan music for an atheist.
I have heard many versions but this 2001 Gergiev recording is a pretty storming rendition, highlighting the strangeness in the music. The Mariinsky (Kirov) Orchestra serve it well, too. Play it loud!
The Rite of Spring is really worth the help of this visual aid, I love these creations but in the case of The Rite you really can see how the blocks of sound are created and built upon.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 3, 2019 16:39:10 GMT
Excellent choice - I have this in my spoti library!  You've also got the bonus of Scriabin's divine 'Poem of Ecstasy'. There is something about Russian orchestras playing Russian music - one never feels short changed, that's for sure ... |
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Post by Slinger on Sept 3, 2019 17:16:47 GMT
I'll give that a Rattle later.  |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2019 17:17:21 GMT
I've just been listening again, on Qobuz. It really is a terrific performance with some shattering moments. Goodness me, that bass drum gets some exercise. However, it's compelling throughout even in the introspective moments.
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Post by Slinger on Sept 3, 2019 20:30:59 GMT
Sorry, Martin. I've never been able to get into Stravinsky but I did give it a good go again tonight. 2/5
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Post by MartinT on Sept 3, 2019 20:44:21 GMT
Ok, thanks for listening Paul.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 4, 2019 10:50:43 GMT
**BREAKING NEWS**
News just in from The Audio Standard - Paul Slinger admits he doesn't do Stravinsky and gives masterwork Rite of Spring a measly 2/5, causing widespread sharp intakes of breath and general feelings of unease.
Perturbed by this incendiary revelation, readers seek further clarification on his unforseen remarks, asking what his thoughts are on The Firebird are ...
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Post by Slinger on Sept 4, 2019 12:49:43 GMT
And I even listened to the good version, by the sainted Sir Simon, Jules.
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Post by MartinT on Sept 4, 2019 14:25:52 GMT
Should have listened to the Gergiev...
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Post by Slinger on Sept 4, 2019 14:37:16 GMT
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 4, 2019 19:31:45 GMT
Ah, the Gergiev. Superb. <cough> I seem to recall bringing this recording to your attention. Must admit, I don't take much to a lot of Stravinsky, not really liking his usual soundworld (think L'Histoire du Soldat and a whole bunch of other works); continuous spikey overly-jaunty discords don't do a lot for me. Some versions of the Firebird are fab, though - especially the fantabulous scene from Disney's "Fantasia 2000" with Levine, just amazing. I'll give the Gergiev Rite 5/5 - it is the best I have heard. |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 4, 2019 20:32:08 GMT
<cough> I seem to recall bringing this recording to your attention. You probably did, Jerry, but I listened to about eight of them freshly before choosing him again! |
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Post by MartinT on Sept 4, 2019 20:36:38 GMT
I love the cover artwork. The brass section are recorded well and it is less anaemic than some of Rattle's latter recordings. Not bad at all, but I marginally prefer Gergiev's animal intensity. |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2019 9:44:15 GMT
I would have expected Gergiev and The Rattler to be 'chalk and cheese' ...
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Post by MartinT on Sept 5, 2019 12:08:00 GMT
Have a listen and tell us what you think.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2019 12:54:24 GMT
I love the cover artwork. See the ballet then - that's what it's all about! |
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2019 12:55:07 GMT
OK, this is one of my favourite works of all time.
It’s mind-bending - let’s not forget the near riot this caused on its 1913 debut. And yes, to really take your appreciation up a level, I highly recommend seeing the accompanying ballet which was written after The Firebird and Petrushka for Diaghilev’s legendary Ballets Russes.
Gergiev certainly has a fabulous sense of animation and atmosphere which means the only thing missing is a top performance from the Mariinsky Ballet. This performance is renowned for its feral intensity - ‘wild barbarism’ was a phrase I saw in this regard; but I don’t agree that the recording is greatly lacking in detail as a result. It’s certainly not a ‘polished’ sound like HVK though - every sinew of the music is stretched and feels so alive with purpose and energy, a glorious expression of the score.
5/5 for the music and 5/5 for the performance.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2019 12:59:44 GMT
Rattle - oh dear.
Doesn’t grip me from the beginning as it should - not nearly as evocative as Gergiev.
And when it ‘drops’ at 3’25” I feel ‘so what’ …
Somewhat plodding and lacking the sharply delineated rhythms required.
Where’s the impact and intensity?
He really doesn’t have the choreography and story in mind at all.
I’m not listening past 5 minutes, sorry!
2/5.
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Post by jandl100 on Sept 5, 2019 13:59:48 GMT
Rattle is usually crap.
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Post by julesd68 on Sept 5, 2019 14:22:23 GMT
 Succinctly summarised Jerry!
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