Our Summer BaL 33: Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 11-07-14, 20:45

A magnificent work, but why on earth did Stravinsky have to write those ultra-low piano oboe parts that are so difficult to voice?

I only have it on LP - must check who's playing.

**Bryn** · 11-07-14, 21:03

Though he recorded the work with both male and female voices, I recall reading that Stravinsky originally intended it to be performed by male voices only. The Markevitch does indeed restrict itself to male voices (men and boys, that is). I seem to recall that either the Preston or O'Donnell also does so.

**Tevot** · 11-07-14, 21:14

Glad to say The Symphony of Psalms was a big hit amongst students who took music at my last but one school. They sounded superb - and guess what ? - they loved it..

**verismissimo** · 11-07-14, 21:22

Great choice, Dougie. I'll be revisiting my only recording of it - CBCSO/Stravinsky - and will read with interest of others.

**antongould** · 11-07-14, 21:58

Perfect choice Dougie, will allow me to move beyond my £1.80 emusic download.......

**richardfinegold** · 11-07-14, 23:23

Originally posted by HighlandDougie View Post

It doesn't seem to have been BaL'ed since 2000; I'm currently a bit besotted with it; I'm very interested in whether people (a) like it; and (b) if so, any favourite versions.

This list is not complete, I know, and I got a bit confused with recordings by Ernest Ansermet and by the Composer - so very happy to amend. Anyway, here goes (and apologies for failing to give details of the many choirs but life is too short):

Karel ANCERL: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Ernest ANSERMET: London Philharmonic Orchestra; Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Daniel BARENBOIM: Orchestre de Paris
Karl-Friedrich BERINGER: Deutsches Symphonie Orchester, Berlin
Leonard BERNSTEIN: London Symphony Orchestra
Gary BERTINI: Stuttgart Radio Symphony Orchestra
Pierre BOULEZ: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Sergiu CELIBIDACHE: Munich Philharmonic Orchestra
Riccardo CHAILLY: Berlin Radio Symphony Orchestra
Harry CHRISTOPHERS: The Sixteen, BBC Philharmonic Orchestra
Robert CRAFT: Philharmonia Orchestra
Colin DAVIS: Concertgebouw Orchestra
Sixten EHRLING: Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra
Ferenc FRICSAY: RIAS Orchestra, Berlin
John-Eliot GARDINER: London Symphony Orchestra
Michael GIELEN: SWR Symphony Orchestra, Baden-Baden and Freiburg
Naemi JARVI: Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Herbert von KARAJAN: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Lorin MAAZEL: Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Igor MARKEVITCH: USSR State Symphony Orchestra
Pierre MONTEUX: BBC Symphony Orchestra
Andris NELSONS: City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra
James O'DONNELL: Westminster Cathedral Choir etc
Eugene ORMANDY: Philadelphia Orchestra
Simon PRESTON: Choir of Christ Church College, Oxford, etc
Simon RATTLE: Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
Gennady ROZHDESTVENSKY: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra
Robert SHAW: Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Georg SOLTI: Chicago Symphony Orchestra
Igor STRAVINSKY: (i) Orchestre des Concerts Straram; (ii) CBC Symphony Orchestra; (iii) Warsaw National Philharmonic Orchestra
Michael TILSON THOMAS: London Symphony Orchestra

.

regarding the Solti Chicago, local scuttlebutt was that GS couldn't handle the demands of the score and that most of the Orchestra had to follow their Section Leaders

**rauschwerk** · 12-07-14, 07:05

I have Ancerl, Bernstein, Maazel and Tilson Thomas. It will be a great pleasure to listen to all of these again and report.

**Pulcinella** · 12-07-14, 07:19

I would love to be involved in a performance of this work!
I have a vague memory of reading in a review of the Boulez DG version that an editing glitch resulted in what amounts to an extra beat in one of the bars (third movement, I think), which ruled it out of the running for me.
I like the freshness of the boys in the Preston and O'Donnell versions, but wonder if (despite the orchestra being slimmed down through having no violins*) a larger choir is needed for ideal balance. Not a criticism of the recordings, but a genuine performance question.
I have quite a few versions, and like rauschwerk look forward to renewing my acquaintance with them and possibly reporting back.

PS: * No violas either!

**rauschwerk** · 12-07-14, 08:31

Originally posted by Bryn View Post

...I recall reading that Stravinsky originally intended it to be performed by male voices only.

Not exactly. He says, "My first sound-image was of an all-male chorus..." and "I was careful to keep the treble parts within the powers of child choristers". But he also says, "I obtained a satisfactory all-male chorus only once..." - that was with 200 boys!

**Pulcinella** · 12-07-14, 09:26

Originally posted by rauschwerk View Post

Not exactly. He says, "My first sound-image was of an all-male chorus..." and "I was careful to keep the treble parts within the powers of child choristers". But he also says, "I obtained a satisfactory all-male chorus only once..." - that was with 200 boys!

The pocket score (Boosey and Hawkes 16328) says: The choir should contain children's voices, which may be replaced by female voices (soprano and alto) if a children's choir is not available.

The Mass has the instruction `Children's voices should be employed' against the Discanti and Alti.

**Eine Alpensinfonie** · 12-07-14, 09:46

Originally posted by Pulcinella View Post

The pocket score (Boosey and Hawkes 16328) ...

This term always amuses me when the score is of such a large format.

**Pulcinella** · 12-07-14, 10:01

But don't anoraks have big pockets?

**ferneyhoughgeliebte** · 12-07-14, 10:04

Originally posted by Eine Alpensinfonie View Post

This term always amuses me when the score is of such a large format.

- I have the earlier publication (B&H # 637) which is more pocket-sized (a bit smaller than A5). Bought for £1 in the early '80s.

**Pulcinella** · 12-07-14, 10:11

Originally posted by ferneyhoughgeliebte View Post

- I have the earlier publication (B&H # 637) which is more pocket-sized (a bit smaller than A5). Bought for £1 in the early '80s.

I think that's what I have (sticky tape over the cover only leaves the 7 showing) but inside it's 16328. It has 10/- in pencil on the front!! Probably bought 1967 or 1968.
(The Mass is 655 on the cover and 16501 inside; it cost an appalling 18/- (perhaps just 8/-; hard to tell if there's a smudge or not) on 6 June 1970.)
Note for Pedant's Paradise: brackets inside brackets!!

Our Summer BaL 33: Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms

Our Summer BaL 33: Stravinsky Symphony of Psalms

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