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What are the best Igor Stravinsky recordings? Firebird, Rite to Spring...

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Author	Topic: What are the best Igor Stravinsky recordings? Firebird, Rite to Spring...

TimT Standard Userer	I'm interested in the Firebird suite and The Rite to Spring and was wondering what the best CDs to get were. I'd prefer that these two pieces be on the same CD, but its not that important. Also I'm open to other recomendations of his work as well. Also regarding Vaughan Williams, what is real name of the Fantasia on a theme by Thomas Tallis? I'm talking about before Vaughan Williams adapted it, what did Thomas Tallis call it? The reason is because I'm also looking for the original choral arrangement.
posted 02-10-2003 01:50 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	Stravinsky: Gramophone's Sacre recording of choice is Simon Rattle and the CBSO, and it's indeed a fantastic recording. It's not coupled with Firebird though, but with Apollo. Regarding the Tallis piece, I once knew but don't remember. But if Timmer sees this, I'm sure he can help.
posted 02-10-2003 01:53 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	I have not till now seen (m)any recordings of the complete Firebird, all I tend to see are suites. While I do not like the Firebird, the best one I have heard till now is the 1919 Suite, by Myung-Whun Chung conducting the Orchestre de l'Opera Bastille on Deutsche Grammophon. [It is not coupled with Rite of Spring. It comes instead with a lame third rate Scheherazade recording featuring an extremely weak trumpet player (below even Prague quality)]. Sound quality is first rate, though. Chung Firebird As for Rite of Spring, the only one I know is Mehta/New York Philharmonic. It is good enough for me to keep and not seek any other versions. It's cheap (less than 10$), and comes with the absolute best recording of excerpts from Prokofiev's Romeo and Juliet. http://www.sonyclassical.com/music/48169/main.html
posted 02-10-2003 04:26 PM PT (US)

Dinko Standard Userer	Thomas Tallis: A quick internet search revealed the following: - the theme is called Third Mode Melody aka The Third Tune - it was composed for some archbishop - a later choral arrangement uses the theme by Tallis in a hymn called Why fumeth in the Fight
posted 02-10-2003 04:34 PM PT (US)

SCimmerian Standard Userer	Tim, if you want the most savage, brutal, and exciting Rite of Spring I would recommend Ozawa/Chicago Symphony on BMG 09026-63311-2. The Firebird I would recommend the following: Davis/Concertgebouw Philips 464744-2. This is a double disc with a good Rite of Spring and Petrushka too.Also a budget cd of The Firebird and Rite of Spring in absolutely spectacular sound-Dorati/Detriot Symphony;Decca Penguin 460644-2.The sound on this disc is a real stunner.
posted 02-10-2003 08:57 PM PT (US)

Hector J. Guzman Standard Userer	I have Sony�s recordings from the Bernstein Century collection. http://sonyclassical.com/music/60694/ Excellent recordings.
posted 02-12-2003 05:33 PM PT (US)

TimT Standard Userer	Hector, I was looking at the track listing for that. And I was wondering how those tracks flow togther? My first introduction to Rite to Spring and Firebird was though large one track suites of each. The CD you pointed to seem to have disected everythng. Are there gaps of silences between tracks? or does it all continuously run together?
posted 02-12-2003 06:13 PM PT (US)

Hector J. Guzman Standard Userer	The Rite of Spring flows throughout the entire work, as if it was recorded at once (I wonder about that). Same thing with The Firebird. Get it! You�ll love it. P.S. There are no gaps in between tracks.
posted 02-12-2003 06:22 PM PT (US)

Graham Watt Standard Userer	I've got one by Lalo Schifrin and the London Philharmonic. Incorporated amongst the Stravinski are pieces by Charlie Parker, Neal Hefti and Quncy Jones. It would maybe drive purists mad, but if nothing's sacred then this is quite enjoyable sin!
posted 02-14-2003 02:06 PM PT (US)

Marian Schedenig Standard Userer	Eh? Where would one go to get this?
posted 02-14-2003 02:24 PM PT (US)

Graham Watt Standard Userer	I've no idea, Marian. I've "got" it, but only taped from the radio, which doesn't count. I think Schifrin did this years ago. Maybe his Aleph site could help.
posted 02-14-2003 04:23 PM PT (US)

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