BaL 8.11.14 - Stravinsky: Petrushka

[Nick Armstrong]

9.30am
Building a Library
Martin Cotton compares recordings of Stravinsky’s masterpiece for the Ballets Russes.

Our Alpine comrade has asked me to kick this off as he is off on his hols at the moment. The List is a most daunting prospect and I totally agree with this:

I don't know how you do it, but it deserves applause..... your lists are always a great reference source; and that's coming from a no-list person!

Not sure I will have time to try and emulate EA's listing achievements; but to start the ball rolling, the matter is of course complicated by the existence of two versions of the piece, plus the Suite. Presumably Martin Cotton will attempt to tackle all three - or maybe just the two 'complete' versions. (One assumes the piano four-hands, and 'three movements for piano solo' versions will be excluded, from the programme description).

Lunchtime has permitted a quick go at the listing process (and it's rather addictive! I can see why EA gets a kick out of it...!). All contributions welcome, and it will have to be done 'episodically'....

A starter list:

1911 Version

Les Siècles, François-Xavier Roth
Moscow Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Bergen Philharmonic Orchestra, Andrew Litton
London Symphony Orchestra, Claudio Abbado
Berliner Philharmoniker, Pierre Monteux
Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, Jaap van Zweden
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Hermann Scherchen
Philharmonia Orchestra, Eliahu Inbal
Cleveland Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Leopold Stokowski Symphony Orchestra, Leopold Stokowski
L'Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Neeme Järvi (download only)
Boston Symphony, Pierre Monteux
Orchestre National de France, Pierre Monteux
L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ernest Ansermet
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Ernest Ansermet
London Symphony Orchestra, Gennadi Rozhdestvensky
Chicago Symphony, Georg Solti
London Symphony Orchestra, Charles Dutoit
Orchestre symphonique de Montréal, Charles Dutoit
London Philharmonic Orchestra, Bernard Haitink
London Symphony Orchestra, Charles Mackerras (download only)
Seattle Symphony Orchestra, Gerard Schwarz (download only)
BBC National Orchestra of Wales, Thierry Fischer
Detroit Symphony, Antal Dorati ("the original 1911 scoring is adhered to in accordance with Antal Dorati's personal recollections of the composer's unrealised 'ideal version.' - i.e. bits of 1947....")

1947 Version

Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Igor Stravinsky
Los Angeles Philharmonic, Zubin Mehta
London Symphony Orchestra, Rafael Frühbeck de Burgos
Weiner Philharmoniker, Christoph von Dohnanyi
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Mariss Jansons
Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, Mariss Jansons
Baltimore Symphony, David Zinman
Philharmonia Orchestra, Robert Craft
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Sir Colin Davis (download only)
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Riccardo Chailly
New Philharmonia Orchestra, Otto Klemperer
Budapest Festival Orchestra, Iván Fischer
Cincinnati Symphony, Paavo Jarvi
City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Simon Rattle
Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, Hans Rosbaud
New York Philharmonic, Leonard Bernstein
Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein (expensive import only)
Boston Symphony, Seiji Ozawa
Czech Philharmonic Orchestra, Karel Ancerl
Orchestre National de France, Daniele Gatti
Rias-Symphonie-Orchester, Ferenc Fricsay (download only)

Unspecified

The situation is further complicated by several recordings not specifying which version is involved e.g.

USSR TV and Radio Large Symphony Orchestra Moscow, Vladimir Fedoseyev
State Academic Symphony Orchestra, Evgeni Svetlanov
London Symphony Orchestra, Sir Eugene Goossens
Moscow State Conservatory Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez
Monte-Carlo Philharmonic Orchestra, Yakov Kreizberg
Symphony Orchestra Baden-Baden, Sylvain Cambreling

Suite

Philharmonic-Symphony of New York, Igor Stravinsky
Moscow State Philharmonic Orchestra / USSR State Symphony Orchestra (?), Igor Stravinsky
Philadelphia Orchestra, Eugene Ormandy
Belgian Radio and Television Philharmonic Orchestra, Alexander Rahbari
Chicago Symphony, Carlo Maria Giulini

[richardfinegold]

Let it be said that if EA goes on Holiday, I most emphatically declare that I will not be his stand in. How did you get suckered in Cali?
I learned this piece from an Ozawa recording with the BSO. It was made back in the day when S.O. was guesting and still gave a hoot. It appears not to be listed but it is a great performance well worth seeking out.
To be truthful, I have heard or own several of the versions listed, and I don't think that I have ever heard a recording that I didn't like. Is this piece Conductor proof?

[Bryn]

Let's not forget James Crabb and Geir Draugsvoll with their version of the 1947 edition for 2 accordions.

[Nick Armstrong]

Let it be said that if EA goes on Holiday, I most emphatically declare that I will not be his stand in. How did you get suckered in Cali?
I learned this piece from an Ozawa recording with the BSO. It was made back in the day when S.O. was guesting and still gave a hoot. It appears not to be listed but it is a great performance well worth seeking out.
To be truthful, I have heard or own several of the versions listed, and I don't think that I have ever heard a recording that I didn't like. Is this piece Conductor proof?

Quite right, Ozawa should be (and is now) there Universally well thought of it seems. Perhaps the fact that they helpfully call it "Petrouchka" resulted in it eluding my researches!

I'm happy to take over for a week. Week-in-week-out, not so much. Hats off to Alpie.

Interestingly, the piano part in that 1969 performance was played by one M. Tilson Thomas...

Which has reminded me of another version I'd missed: the one I first owned, with my now-neighbour Tamas Vasary playing the piano with the LSO under Dutoit...

(The best version I've ever heard (and have a recording of) was the one given at the Proms the other year by the Philharmonia under Salonen)

[Petrushka]

I think that Stravinsky's own recording is a version unto itself in that it is basically the 1911 version but with some bits which are 1947. Just don't ask me which bits! This was mentioned in an 'Interpretations on Record' long ago. Personally, I wish Igor had left it alone instead of lumbering listeners, reviewers etc with trying to establish which version is being played. Is there a definitive pointer which makes it clear beyond doubt?

My preferred recording is LSO/Abbado but I notice, somewhat to my surprise, that the recent recording from Les Siecles and Francois-Xavier Roth isn't included in the list. It's a terrific performance and recording, streets ahead of the disappointing Rite of Spring with which it is coupled. Either Abbado or Roth will do for me.

[Nick Armstrong]

I notice, somewhat to my surprise, that the recent recording from Les Siecles and Francois-Xavier Roth isn't included in the list.

It's the second item, Pet. I wouldn't forget that one - I agree, it's a corker.

Welcome to this thread - wouldn't be the same without the eponymous hero...

Btw there are a lot with the basic versions 'tampered' with, bits removed, bit added... I suppose one can forgive Igor, but for example that Dutoit/Vasary version is basically 1911 apparently, but with sections cut

[Petrushka]

It's the second item, Pet. I would't forget that one - I agree, it's a corker.

Welcome to this thread - wouldn't be the same without the eponymous hero...

Apologies for the second time this week. Whether I need an eye test or the blue confuses me (or both) I don't know but I looked twice and swear it wasn't there...

[HighlandDougie]

Very well done, m'lud. When I compiled an earlier list (see the Our Summer BaL thread), distinguishing between versions was just a step too much so in admiration of you for that. List-compiling is indeed quite compelling - not a million miles away from train-spotting, really. Abbado instead of a Merchant Navy.

[Don Petter]

List-compiling is indeed quite compelling - not a million miles away from train-spotting, really. Abbado instead of a Merchant Navy.

Does anyone know if Abbado was rebuilt?

[umslopogaas]

#1 Caliban, the LP of "Stravinsky conducts Petrushka" (Philips SABL 175, dated 1960) says its the 1947 version.

[visualnickmos]

Hello Calibs

Hats off to you, sir! In EA's holiday break, I think you have done an excellent job. Especially so, as it must have been the devil's own work given the 'chaos' surrounding this piece, with its different versions, some version left unspecified, some versions with cuts, etc, etc.....

(I can see why EA decided to take some holidays now! )

[visualnickmos]

I own a version on Philips 'Duo' containing the 1911 version, played by the LPO with Haitink.

And very satisfying it is, too.

As a PS; is there a general learned or perhaps accepted, preference for one version over as being the 'norm'?

[Nick Armstrong]

#1 Caliban, the LP of "Stravinsky conducts Petrushka" (Philips SABL 175, dated 1960) says its the 1947 version.

[Nick Armstrong]

I own a version on Philips 'Duo' containing the 1911 version, played by the LPO with Haitink.

[Nick Armstrong]

Hello Calibs

Hats off to you, sir! In EA's holiday break, I think you have done an excellent job. Especially so, as it must have been the devil's own work given the 'chaos' surrounding this piece, with its different versions, some version left unspecified, some versions with cuts, etc, etc.....

(I can see why EA decided to take some holidays now! )