The Rite of Spring - definitive recording

[Petrushka]

I listened to this live Monteux/LSO performance of The Rite exactly a year ago this very night in celebration of the centenary. This one was given on the 50th anniversary on May 29 1963.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77W7SOqzcaY

I haven't got the Markevich recording but do recall a concert performance of The Rite with the LSO in, I think, 1979 at which I was present. I found it leaden-footed.

One I do like is Sir Eugene Goosens and the LSO on the Everest label recorded in 1960. A bit slower than we are used to these days but well recorded and with the best bass drum on record.http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stravinsky-P...spring+goosens

[Nick Armstrong]

lista dei desiderii

Terribly sophisticated!!

[Radio64]

Terribly sophisticated!!

Oh yes we are! LOL


Actually I realised last night that yesterday - 29th May - when I started this thread was also the date that the Sacre had its première in 1913 ... spooky!

Anyway to quote those soon-to-be-Proms-performers Pet Shop Boys:

"I feel like taking all my clothes off
Dancing to The Rite of Sping
But I wouldn't normally do
This kind of thing!"

quite!!


Mornin' all!

[Radio64]

Nice cheap-ish 2CD Stravinsky-fest on amazon/zoverstocks etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stravinsky-Ballets-Igor/dp/B000001GYI/ref=sr_1_1_bnp_1_aud?ie=UTF8&qid=1401882159&sr=8-1&keywords=Stravinsky%3A+Le+Sacre+du+Printemps%2C+The+Firebird%2C+P%C3%A9trouchka%2C+Pulcinella%2C+Jeu+de+cartes

[hafod]

Nice cheap-ish 2CD Stravinsky-fest on amazon/zoverstocks etc.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stravinsky-B...+Jeu+de+cartes

If you are after a Stravinsky bargain, then do consider this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000PTYUQG/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Detailed contents and review:

http://www.musicweb-international.com/classrev/2008/Aug08/Stravinsky_box_88697103112.htm

[johnb]

I seem to remember that Jonathan Swain (?), when he did a Building a Library on The Rite of Spring some years ago, came up with the recording by Joel Levi and the Atlanta SO on Telarc. I don't know the recording so can't comment.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Rite-Spring-Yoel-Levi/dp/B000003CXF/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1401901713&sr=8-2&keywords=Stravinsky+Atlanta

[Edit] The reviewer was actually the renowned Peter Hill, back in 2004. How time flies!

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

If you are after a Stravinsky bargain, then do consider this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-lis...&condition=new

- one of the great historical documents of the Twentieth Century: and the Music-making is pretty good throughout, too. Even the lesser-known works, which many of the performers might even have never seen before, are full of insights. And the rehearsal/recording out-takes are wonderful, too (John McClure explains that a mistake can be corrected by splicing a clip from another take. You can see the disbelief on Stravinsky's face in the ensuing silence, and then he says very quietly - and in tones that suggest the opposite of what his words are saying - "I trust you." ) Such a pity they left out his LP talk Appropos the Rite, though! I bought it when it first came out - IIRC, at nearly £100 more than the offer price here. It was still a bargain even then!

[Bryn]

... (John McClure explains that a mistake can be corrected by splicing a clip from another take. You can see the disbelief on Stravinsky's face in the ensuing silence, and then he says very quietly - and in tones that suggest the opposite of what his words are saying - "I trust you." ) ...

Especially ironic, given the mess McClure(?) and co. made of editing the Movements for Piano and Orchestra for CD. The whole of the repeat of the opening section excised! Several generations of re-issue in different guises now, and still the unmusically cut version is what gets released to an unsuspecting public. It was fine on the original vinyl LP issue (even if that was actually a cutting-room job to get the written repeat in place).

[And that's by no means the only editing cock-up in the 22 CD set, either. Still well worth the asking price, and a lot more, though.]

[Radio64]

If you are after a Stravinsky bargain, then do consider this:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/B000PTYUQG/ref=dp_olp_new?ie=UTF8&condition=new

Detailed contents and review:
http://www.musicweb-international.co...8697103112.htm

Blimey! 22 CDs .... just wondering how many years it would take me to listen to it all and even come close to some kind of appreciation ...

a nice set though

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Blimey! 22 CDs .... just wondering how many years it would take me to listen to it all and even come close to some kind of appreciation ...

What's the hurry?

a nice set though

[Radio64]

What's the hurry?

S'pose you're right! Better start saving ...

[Pulcinella]

R64:

You could always listen to one a day instead of Breakfast.....
Wouldn't take too long to get through them!

[Radio64]

R64:

You could always listen to one a day instead of Breakfast.....
Wouldn't take too long to get through them!

Good idea Pulci.. only during certain weeks though.

Stravinsky Overkill

[Lordgeous]

No such thing as a "definitive" recording of this multi-faceted work, R64; apart from anything else, there are at least two published versions of the work which differ in detail (most notably in the very last chord). Markevich has never been surpassed, 'tho' the sound is extremely good - for a 55year-old recording!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stravinsky-Sacre-Printemps-Philharmonia-Orchestra/dp/B000003XJH/ref=sr_1_1?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1401351208&sr=1-1&keywords=markevich%2C+rite+of+spring

For digital sound, Antal Dorati's Detroit recording from the early '80s gives an exceptionally good performance in very clear detail (and well worth 1p + p&p!):

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Stravinsky-Firebird-Rite-Spring-Igor/dp/B000025702/ref=sr_1_4?s=music&ie=UTF8&qid=1401351591&sr=1-4&keywords=dorati+rite+of+spring%2C+stravinsky

... but many recent recordings treat the work as a sort-of Pictures at an Exhibition/Scheherezade - type orchestral showpiece: it's like King Kong in chains - it's just waiting to get free and take its revenge!

Thankyou for the Dorati 'thumbs up'. Bought it (yes 1p!) and greatly enjoyed it (though I have many other versions). Not the most bombastic but great sound and lots of interesting detail I havent heard in other versions - or live performances.

[johnb]

Interesting, the Markevich recording was my first experience of The Rite. Our music teacher played it during a music lesson at school and it made a tremendous impression on me. I must get hold of a copy as I haven't heard that recording since that day.