Don't miss Les Siècles/Roth in Stravinsky

[HighlandDougie]

I don't find Kreizberg prosaic but I can see why you might feel that, especially by comparison with Roth (anything but prosaic). One of the problems of all programmes where you hear excerpts (like CD Review and le Jardin des Critiques) is that the cumulative effect of a performance is all too easily lost. I like Kreizberg's approach to the Stravinsky Diaghilev ballets in that he doesn't play them for show but allows them to develop and unfold - and I like the lyricism which he finds in the music, without losing sight of its modernity when need be. I also like the recording quality - and the fact that he makes the OPCM sound like a more than decent orchestra (that legacy has happily outlived him, if the evidence of a 'Pathétique' a few weeks ago is anything to go by). But, put a gun to my head and ask me to chose between Roth and Kreizberg, it would be Roth. It really is like hearing the piece for the first time. I will now conquer my aversion to French talking heads and listen to the programme.

[Nick Armstrong]

I don't find Kreizberg prosaic but I can see why you might feel that, especially by comparison with Roth (anything but prosaic). One of the problems of all programmes where you hear excerpts (like CD Review and le Jardin des Critiques) is that the cumulative effect of a performance is all too easily lost. I like Kreizberg's approach to the Stravinsky Diaghilev ballets in that he doesn't play them for show but allows them to develop and unfold - and I like the lyricism which he finds in the music, without losing sight of its modernity when need be. I also like the recording quality - and the fact that he makes the OPCM sound like a more than decent orchestra (that legacy has happily outlived him, if the evidence of a 'Pathétique' a few weeks ago is anything to go by). But, put a gun to my head and ask me to chose between Roth and Kreizberg, it would be Roth. It really is like hearing the piece for the first time. I will now conquer my aversion to French talking heads and listen to the programme.

Wise words, HD Thank you.

I just listened to the Roth again: I'm just enthralled. Folk haven't lived if they haven't heard his way with the Danse Infernale!! I suppose my POV is that with Stravinsky (not my favourite), the music is about the sound it makes, rather than about development. Call me superficial! I just want to be aurally dazzled!

[HighlandDougie]

Aieh! An hour of l'Oiseau de Feu en Français - ça suffit pour maintenant. Interesting - and, yes, Kreizberg clearly didn't float their collective boat either (I think that the French version of "boring" crept into the comments at one pont), although he did make it past the first ejection from the balloon. Still, I wouldn't want to be without it - and I really like the Petrushka which is one one of the other discs. Roth, though, has re-kindled my interest in a piece of music which in its complete form sometimes seems to be going for just a little too long. Not with him, though. Not a moment too long.

I did idly muse on who the BBC might have trotted out from their resident experts as the trio of wise men - the young kid on the block; the sensible one: and the grumpy old bugger who likes to nit-pick. Good for my French, too, so many thanks, Caliban, for that link.

My other half, though, has banned any further playing of the Firebird for the time being

[PJPJ]

Many thanks for the link to "Le Jardin des Critiques" - fascinating listening, though ils parlent très ou trop vite. I did enjoy Kreizberg more than they did (did one say "banal" at one stage?) but the Roth's colouring was quite magnetic.

The programme was easy to download and play in foobar, making little rewinds easy.

[Nick Armstrong]

Pleasure, gents!

It's well worth subscribing to the podcast (extracts not abbreviated, in contrast to the BBC podcasts ), or making frequent visits to the site! Some progs are duds (the most recent one on Debussy's "En blanc et noir" was a ) but the programme on "Les Nuits d'Été" for example was a total treat - including the great and very amusing Serge Baudo on the critics' panel.

Yes - they did call some of the Kreizberg version "banal" - tho the playing of the Monte Carlo orchestra received big compliments, as I recall.

[DublinJimbo]

Their "Oiseau de Feu" is electrifying!

After all that's been said here, and judging from my previous experiences of Roth and Les Siècles, I downloaded this an hour ago and have just finished listening to the Firebird. 'Electrifying' is the perfect word to describe the performance. It grabbed me from the very beginning, and then there came along a stop-you-in-your-tracks moment in the Supplication of the Firebird, with the entry of the solo horn. Having been grabbed before, I was ensnared after that. A magnificent performance — it must have been astonishing to be there.

p.s. Never in my wildest imaginings did I think that I'd get a recording of the Firebird with 'period instruments'. Have instruments really changed so much in the past hundred years?

[MickyD]

Snap, DublinJimbo - in the last hour or so, I decided to give the disc another spin just to see if I hadn't gone over the top with my initial praise. I have to say I find it just as thrilling - not only is the playing and recording very fine, but there is a real sense of occasion to this performance.

[Black Swan]

I have to say that again, my faith in this site has been reaffirmed. The Firebird is a major favorite of mine. I have several recordings, Davis, Dutoit, Rattle. I with a bit of skepticism downloaded Le Siecles Firebird. I am truly amazed it is a fantastic recording. Thanks to all who recommended it.

John

[Nick Armstrong]

I have to say that again, my faith in this site has been reaffirmed. The Firebird is a major favorite of mine. I have several recordings, Davis, Dutoit, Rattle. I with a bit of skepticism downloaded Le Siecles Firebird. I am truly amazed it is a fantastic recording. Thanks to all who recommended it.

John