Chez Stravinsky

[Herman]

In addition the reader has to keep in mind IS's utterances were usually filtered through Kraft, who edited and in many cases co-authored the material. So one is never sure who is talking.

Whereas Schoenberg's relatively few words represent his deepest convictions about serious matters, Stravinsky's many verbal expressions reflect a restless, changeable, volatile figure who accepts the fluctuations of his personality apparently without difficulty.In the foreword to his autobiography he acknowledged his infidelities: "As I call my recollections to mind, I shall nearly be obliged to speak of my opinions, my tastes, my preferences, and my abhorrences. I am but too well aware of how much these feelings vary in the course of time. This is why I shall great care not to confuse my present reactions with those experienced at other stages of my life.

[Karl Henning]

In addition the reader has to keep in mind IS's utterances were usually filtered through Kraft, who edited and in many cases co-authored the material. So one is never sure who is talking.

Indeed!

[Archaic Torso of Apollo]

Symphony in C

Thoughts on this piece? I've become kind of hooked on it recently, listening to it several days in a row. (LSO/Davis recording)

Which surprises me - I'd listened to it a couple of times and thought "that's nice, but it's inferior to Symphony in Three Movements." Now I'm not so sure. There's a lot of neoclassical punch and attitude, and some interesting gestures, like the slow, melancholy fade at the end, which is so different in mood from the rest of the piece.

So I mostly ignored it for years, but suddenly I'm hooked on it.

Something I've always wondered: is there a reason Boulez never really recorded Stravinsky's late works? He was so dismissive of the older composer's neoclassical period,

Are you sure about this? I heard Boulez do a sizzling Symphony in Three Movements with the CSO, and he's recorded it and some other pieces from that period, I think. Boulez would sometimes express his disdain for a composer, and then turn right around in his estimation.

[Karl Henning]

Symphony in C

Thoughts on this piece? I've become kind of hooked on it recently, listening to it several days in a row. (LSO/Davis recording)

Long ago, I was underwhelmed by the Symphony in C, but now, yes, I like it a great deal.

[vers la flamme]

^Well, boys, I'm going to have to revisit the Symphony in C on account of this recent discussion, as it's never left much of a mark on me either, but I'm sure there is something to it. I have the Stravinsky/CBC Symphony recording.

[Jo498]

It's a great piece and I like the Stravinsky recording. I also slightly prefer the "in 3 movements" but the "in C" is still a formidable piece.

[Andy D.]

^Well, boys, I'm going to have to revisit the Symphony in C on account of this recent discussion, as it's never left much of a mark on me either, but I'm sure there is something to it. I have the Stravinsky/CBC Symphony recording.

Huge fan of the Symphony of Psalms and this recording.

[vers la flamme]

Yes, that is definitely my favorite recording of the Symphony of Psalms. Miles beyond the other recording I have, Boulez/Berlin, who seem to rush through the third movement. The other two symphonies are also great, especially the Symphony in 3 Movements. I won't be seeking out any further recordings of these works. I think the composer's conducting in these three works is definitive, unlike the Rite of Spring and Petrushka, in which I like his recordings but prefer others'.

[North Star]

Yes, that is definitely my favorite recording of the Symphony of Psalms. Miles beyond the other recording I have, Boulez/Berlin, who seem to rush through the third movement. The other two symphonies are also great, especially the Symphony in 3 Movements. I won't be seeking out any further recordings of these works. I think the composer's conducting in these three works is definitive, unlike the Rite of Spring and Petrushka, in which I like his recordings but prefer others'.

You should look into this one. It's criminal that it's out of print, but there are used copies at least.

[asin]B000002ZO4[/asin]

[vers la flamme]

^That looks great. Thanks, I'll have to check it out for sure. I don't have a recording of the Mass or the Canticum Sacrum either.

[Andy D.]

You should look into this one. It's criminal that it's out of print, but there are used copies at least.

[asin]B000002ZO4[/asin]

I like the Tilson-Thomas as well.

[vers la flamme]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIWn7z7t3ZA

I don't know how to embed videos here, but this recent one is well worth a watch. It's a general analysis of the late works of Stravinsky. Fascinating stuff.

[Mirror Image]

You should look into this one. It's criminal that it's out of print, but there are used copies at least.

[asin]B000002ZO4[/asin]

+1 A stunning recording.

[Mirror Image]

https://www.youtube.com/v/AIWn7z7t3ZA

I don't know how to embed videos here, but this recent one is well worth a watch. It's a general analysis of the late works of Stravinsky. Fascinating stuff.

Samuel Andreyev has done some great videos and he's quite knowledgable about the subject matter he's talking about. As for embedding YouTube videos, this should help:

https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2663.0.html

[vers la flamme]

Samuel Andreyev has done some great videos and he's quite knowledgable about the subject matter he's talking about. As for embedding YouTube videos, this should help:

https://www.good-music-guide.com/community/index.php/topic,2663.0.html

Bookmarked, thanks. Yes, I enjoy Andreyev's videos. I love that he has made analysis videos that go on for 20-30 minutes on the subject of two-minute Webern opuses. 

I really want that Hyperion recording now... what little I sampled sounds great.

[Mirror Image]

Bookmarked, thanks. Yes, I enjoy Andreyev's videos. I love that he has made analysis videos that go on for 20-30 minutes on the subject of two-minute Webern opuses. 

I really want that Hyperion recording now... what little I sampled sounds great.

If you can find that O'Donnell recording of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms, Mass, etc. for a good price, then jump on it.

[vers la flamme]

If you can find that O'Donnell recording of Stravinsky's Symphony of Psalms, Mass, etc. for a good price, then jump on it.

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled. I may have mentioned this already, but my go-to recording of the Symphony of Psalms is Stravinsky himself conducting the CBC SO. Great performance!

edit: Yes, I see I already talked about this a few posts back But I keep an open mind about these things. In the grand scheme of things, I am still new to Igor's music.

[Mirror Image]

I'll be keeping my eyes peeled. I may have mentioned this already, but my go-to recording of the Symphony of Psalms is Stravinsky himself conducting the CBC SO. Great performance!

edit: Yes, I see I already talked about this a few posts back But I keep an open mind about these things. In the grand scheme of things, I am still new to Igor's music.

I don't think much of Stravinsky's own recordings. Initially I did because this was my first exposure to his music 11 years ago, but I've since come to the conclusion that he was a lousy conductor. Historically speaking, those Stravinsky-led performances are important, but they are nowhere near authoritative. Since you like the Naxos label a lot, do check out all of the reissues of Robert Craft's Stravinsky. His performances are highly rated. Our resident Stravinskian, Karl Henning, has nothing but great things to say about Craft's Stravinsky. Where Craft fails, IMHO, are the early ballets Firebird, Petrouchka, and Le sacre du printemps. Where he excels are the lesser-known ones like Apollo, Jeu de cartes, Pulcinella, Orpheus, Agon, etc. Do check out his series on Naxos.

[vers la flamme]

I don't think much of Stravinsky's own recordings. Initially I did because this was my first exposure to his music 11 years ago, but I've since come to the conclusion that he was a lousy conductor. Historically speaking, those Stravinsky-led performances are important, but they are nowhere near authoritative. Since you like the Naxos label a lot, do check out all of the reissues of Robert Craft's Stravinsky. His performances are highly rated. Our resident Stravinskian, Karl Henning, has nothing but great things to say about Craft's Stravinsky. Where Craft fails, IMHO, are the early ballets Firebird, Petrouchka, and Le sacre du printemps. Where he excels are the lesser-known ones like Apollo, Jeu de cartes, Pulcinella, Orpheus, Agon, etc. Do check out his series on Naxos.

Will do. So I have heard a bit of Craft's Stravinsky on Naxos, namely Le Sacre and the Nightingale (the complete opera). Though I was more impressed at first with his Le Sacre, I'm more inclined to agree with you now that it was a less than totally successful performance.

I've been meaning to grab this disc for some time now:



Just might pull the trigger right now (if I can find a cheap one)... 

Anyway, I like what I've heard of Stravinsky's recordings, I think he had a pretty acute understanding of his own music (obviously), but I wouldn't agree with anyone who'd say his recordings are the end-all be-all of his music.

[Mirror Image]

Will do. So I have heard a bit of Craft's Stravinsky on Naxos, namely Le Sacre and the Nightingale (the complete opera). Though I was more impressed at first with his Le Sacre, I'm more inclined to agree with you now that it was a less than totally successful performance.

I've been meaning to grab this disc for some time now:



Just might pull the trigger right now (if I can find a cheap one)... 

Anyway, I like what I've heard of Stravinsky's recordings, I think he had a pretty acute understanding of his own music (obviously), but I wouldn't agree with anyone who'd say his recordings are the end-all be-all of his music.

That Three Greek Ballets recording from Craft is top-drawer and I'd buy it immediately. I love how each of these ballets are on the same recording forming that Grecian theme. A worthwhile purchase. My Stravinsky collection is complete so I'm merely filling in gaps at this point, but this could be said for any of my favorite composers.