Chez Stravinsky

[Karl Henning]

If you haven't read his books of conversations with Robert Craft, they're a must, and highly entertaining (even if recent scholars have apparently proved that there's more Craft than Stravinsky in many of the composer's assertions).

I've not gotten around to them, mostly because that "textual cloud" hangs over them . . . .

[ritter]

I've not gotten around to them, mostly because that "textual cloud" hangs over them . . . .

Yep, that "textual cloud" is a problem, but they are GREAT FUN to read  ... I read the first 3 many, many years ago, and at that time the doubts about who actually was saying what in these conversations were not as strong as they are today. Even with our current knowledge, the books are delightful...

Will take note of Eric Walter White's book...thanks, Karlhenning!

[Mirror Image]

Both volumes are essential reading, IMO.

Also essential reading:

Eric Walter White, Stravinsky: The Composer and His Works

[asin]0520039858[/asin]

Thanks for the feedback, Karl! Will definitely be considering them in the future.

[Mirror Image]

What do all of my fellow Stravinskians think of the ballet Orpheus? What do you think Stravinsky was trying to convey here? Any favorite performances?

[Ken B]

What do all of my fellow Stravinskians think of the ballet Orpheus? What do you think Stravinsky was trying to convey here? Any favorite performances?

I adore Orpheus. I had an old vinyl I liked on Philips, Colin Davis and maybe LSO. Chailly is good.
I think he was trying to not use flash and color.

[Ken B]

My quick 25 Favorite Stravinsky Works list:

Le sacre
Symphony of Psalms
Symphonies d'instruments à vent
Concerto per due pianoforti
Les noces
L'histoire du soldat
Petrushka
Symphony in Three Movements
Orpheus
Agon
Le baiser de la fée
L'oiseau de feu
Canticum sacrum
Threni
Ragtime for Eleven Instruments
Mavra
Perséphone
Apollo
Danses concertantes
Feu d'artifice
Concerto for piano and winds
The three motets
Berceuses du chat
Dirge-Canons and Song In memoriam Dylan Thomas
the three Shakespeare Songs
the arrangement of the Bach canonic variations on Vom Himmel hoch

My top 3 are missing.
Dumbarton Oaks
Symphony in C
Jeu de Cartes
After that it's hard. Canticum, Apollo, Noces, Rite, Scenes, 3 mvmts, Psalms, Orpheus, Rex
Different order next week, but same top 3

[Mirror Image]

I adore Orpheus. I had an old vinyl I liked on Philips, Colin Davis and maybe LSO. Chailly is good.
I think he was trying to not use flash and color.

Yep, I think Stravinsky was trying to convey a different type of atmosphere with Orpheus. What's interesting is Apollo also conjures this dreamy, almost surreal, soundscape.

[TheGSMoeller]

I don't own, or haven't heard, nearly as much as some of you, but I do adore quite a bit from Stravinsky, mainly his neo-classical sound.

Favorites
Dumbarton Oaks
L'histoire du soldat
Symphony in Three Movements
Symphony in C
Symphony of Psalms
Petrushka

[Ken B]

My top 3 are missing.
Dumbarton Oaks
Symphony in C
Jeu de Cartes
After that it's hard. Canticum, Apollo, Noces, Rite, Scenes, 3 mvmts, Psalms, Orpheus, Rex
Different order next week, but same top 3

Eek. Forgot Ebony Concerto.

[Ken B]

If I ever got a chance to conduct I'd want to do Jeu de Cartes.
For one thing I know it cold, which is useful conducting when you don't read music!
But I think it's a hard piece to get right, and leaves lots of places for little touches.
Ashkenazy nails it.

[Mirror Image]

If I ever got a chance to conduct I'd want to do Jeu de Cartes.
For one thing I know it cold, which is useful conducting when you don't read music!
But I think it's a hard piece to get right, and leaves lots of places for little touches.
Ashkenazy nails it.

I like Abbado and Craft just fine. Haven't heard Ashkenazy, but I'm not fond of his conducting.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

I adore Orpheus. I had an old vinyl I liked on Philips, Colin Davis and maybe LSO. Chailly is good.
I think he was trying to not use flash and color.

Did Chailly record Orpheus? I know Ashkenazy did.

[Ken B]

Did Chailly record Orpheus? I know Ashkenazy did.

I might be confused, as I think it was concertgebouw. It's in the Decca box, and is good.
Kraft is certainly good as is Jarvi, but I liked Davis best.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

What do all of my fellow Stravinskians think of the ballet Orpheus? What do you think Stravinsky was trying to convey here? Any favorite performances?

I have the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra version. They make a solid case for the work. I think I have to be in the right mood for it, though, subdued as it is. But no doubt it's awesome Stravinsky.

[Mirror Image]

I have the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra version. They make a solid case for the work. I think I have to be in the right mood for it, though, subdued as it is. But no doubt it's awesome Stravinsky.

Yep, that's a great disc. Think I'll spin it tonight.

[Mirror Image]

I might be confused, as I think it was concertgebouw. It's in the Decca box, and is good.
Kraft is certainly good as is Jarvi, but I liked Davis best.

Jarvi is a decent Stravinskian, but nowhere near a favorite of mine. Kraft makes some good cheese, but I know you meant Craft.

[Mirror Image]

Did Chailly record Orpheus? I know Ashkenazy did.

Nope, but he did record Apollo.

[Dancing Divertimentian]

Nope, but he did record Apollo.

I love Chaily's Stravinsky.

As far as what Stravinsky was trying to convey with Orpheus, well, the work has such a delicate, wispy feel that it's hard not to view it as something of an anti-Le Sacre. At least that's my impression. Dunno if there's any truth to that, though...

[Ken B]

Jarvi is a decent Stravinskian, but nowhere near a favorite of mine. Kraft makes some good cheese, but I know you meant Craft.

Actually I meant Stavinscy, the well known Dutch composer.

   

[Mirror Image]

I love Chaily's Stravinsky.

As far as what Stravinsky was trying to convey with Orpheus, well, the work has such a delicate, wispy feel that it's hard not to view it as something of an anti-Le Sacre. At least that's my impression. Dunno if there's any truth to that, though...

Do you find that Orpheus and Apollo share any similar musical qualities? Of course, Apollo is scored for just a string orchestra, but there is, as you state, a delicacy in Orpheus that takes me back to the Apollo sound-world even though the instrumentation is obviously quite different.