20 CD box set of The Rite of Spring

[Resurrection Man]

Might be seen as a bit of overkill I think. Not sure how many young people that age would be so keen, though around that age I had Fauré's Requiem as a Christmas present, paired with Walter's Dvorak 8. Not much later I bought Giulini's Four Sacred Pieces by Verdi. I'm not sure what I'd have made of multiple versions of Rite of Spring myself.

You're missing Caliban's cunning plan!

[MrGongGong]

Am toying with the idea of this box as an Xmas present for hugely musical and curious 15 yo godson...

GO for it
It's a myth that young folk need "easy ways into music" ........... and if he doesn't like it i'm sure he will flog it on ebay (after ripping ?)

[Bryn]

Might be seen as a bit of overkill I think. Not sure how many young people that age would be so keen, though around that age I had Fauré's Requiem as a Christmas present, paired with Walter's Dvorak 8. Not much later I bought Giulini's Four Sacred Pieces by Verdi. I'm not sure what I'd have made of multiple versions of Rite of Spring myself.

At that age I think I had just four LP recordings of the Rite of Spring, (Monteux, Dorati, Stravinsky and Markevich). There again, I was a tad obsessive re. Stravinsky from before my teens, having been knocked sideways by hearing the Symphony in Three Movements on the Third at an uncle's house. They (that uncle and aunt) were the well heeled relatives. They had a VHF (as FM was known in those days) radio. I managed to badger my parents into getting one a couple of years later.

[teamsaint]

Now heard this segment... AMcG did make the point that the NYO and Rattle was licensed in from outside Universal - the only one not from 'in house'... Perhaps because it was cheap, or from a minor label... But as Andrew pointed out, how can you really have a complete survey without the composer himself conducting? I wonder if they moved heaven and earth to get the rights, but Sony/CBS refused?

Pity.

Am toying with the idea of this box as an Xmas present for hugely musical and curious 15 yo godson...

well if finding this set in his xmas stocking doesn't knock any daft ideas about music out of him, so that he can pursue a proper career like his godfather, nothing will !!

anyway, if I was tempted to ask for this one to appear under the tree, and there just have to be other priorities (?) I am just trying to contemplate ways of explaining the lovely gift to those in the room exactly what it was I requested, without convincing them finally that I have a screw loose. !
(some probably wouldn't need convincing...)

Also, why does typing on this forum always makes posts come out looking like the spelling was proof read by Molesworth?

[richardfinegold]

I've had a change of equipment since I last heard the CSO/Solti which shows how long it is since I played it.

I derived some private amusement from the choice of my screen name rather than having a particular affinity with Stravinsky's ballet but for what it's worth my favourite recording of Petrushka is LSO/Abbado. My Firebird of choice is the still stunning 1960 LSO/Dorati.

I first learned these 2 pieces from a Ozawa/CSO recording. Still my sentimental favorite although I have many that are
At least as fine

[Dave2002]

You're missing Caliban's cunning plan!

I wonder what that might be! I can guess.

[kernelbogey]

....a tad obsessive re. Stravinsky from before my teens, having been knocked sideways by hearing the Symphony in Three Movements on the Third at an uncle's house....

My first exposure to that piece, also pre-teen I believe, was when the opening bars were used as the signature tune (and possibly exit music [name for that?] for a Children's Hour drama. All I remember was the two protagonists going to some spooky venue on their youthful detective quest and seeing a huge dog: 'Look at that dog - it's the size of a horse!' - cue Stravinsky.

[Dave2002]

At that age I think I had just four LP recordings of the Rite of Spring, (Monteux, Dorati, Stravinsky and Markevich). There again, I was a tad obsessive re. Stravinsky from before my teens, having been knocked sideways by hearing the Symphony in Three Movements on the Third at an uncle's house. They (that uncle and aunt) were the well heeled relatives. They had a VHF (as FM was known in those days) radio. I managed to badger my parents into getting one a couple of years later.

I'm rather sure that I heard the Symphony in Three Movements as the opening to a radio series - probably on Children's Hour. I was addicted to that opening. Similarly for some Bruckner, and Dvorak 7, and the opening of Dohnanyi's Variations perhaps. Wouldn't happen now for similar programmes on either radio or TV.

PS: kernelbogey - you beat me to it!
PPS: I think one of the programmes was called Naughty Maria, and maybe the one you refer to was Norman and Henry Bones?
PPP: Actually not Maria - Sophia I think. How does one do strike through letters on this MB?

[Don Petter]

My introduction to the Symphony in Three Movements was also from that Children's Hour series.

We discussed it a couple of years ago, and found it was called 'Counterspy', and featured a young Michael Aspel, as a secret agent.

[kernelbogey]

Hello Don - Thanks for that: always ready for a saunter with you down Amnesia Lane!

[Bryn]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/newsid_8304000/8304119.stm

Scroll down to first comment.

Pretty sure I never heard the programme. Now wish I had.

[Nick Armstrong]

Might be seen as a bit of overkill I think. Not sure how many young people that age would be so keen...

This guy, when asked at the age of around 8 or 9 what music he'd like on, would request something from Wagner's "Ring"...

[Nick Armstrong]

GO for it
It's a myth that young folk need "easy ways into music" ........... and if he doesn't like it i'm sure he will flog it on ebay (after ripping ?)

[Nick Armstrong]

You're missing Caliban's cunning plan!

[Nick Armstrong]

Beyond silly - is this the only piece of music which has been recorded so often including a time or two by the composer? A real missed opporunity I'd say.

My understatement was intended as ironic

Esp as I see you get this odd "bonus"

Violin Concerto in D
Bonus CD. 1935
Samuel Dushkin (violin)
Lamoureux Concert Orchestra, Igor Stravinsky