| Thank You, God! (review from amazon.com) |
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Many years ago, when I was first getting into classical music, I took advantage of local supermarkets putting out cheap classical tapes. Many times, I would not even know who the composer was. I knew at the time who Stravinsky was, but I was unfamiliar with "Petrushka" (spelled "Petrouchka" here). The $4 tape I bought was this recording, and I was immediately swept away. When that first wall of orchestral sound hit, I was hooked.
As the years went on, I got rid of all my tapes, and contented myself with finding another comparable recording on CD. I went through at least 10 with serious disappointment. Then one day, on Amazon, I found a CD cover reminiscent of the cover of that tape I had a long time ago. This is it! Reunited at last! The first and best recording I ever owned of this wonderful ballet in its original version. The orchestra punches out everything with gusto in this version. The best part is in the Fourth Tableau, The Dance of the Coachmen and the Grooms, four measures before the 3/4 measure, when the Horns, clarinets, and strings hit that magnificent chord. You'd swear that it's the Horns hitting the high note!
Such brilliant playing deserves to be preserved, and someone has gone through the loving care of taking this old recording and giving it the treament it deserves. This is an SACD that should play on whatever equipment you've got. There is no other recording of "Petrushka" to compare. Don't even bother to try.
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| Robin McCabe steals the show (review from amazon.com) |
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| Forget about the main work here; the true highlight of this SACD is the astonishing, superhuman Robin McCabe on piano, in the piano transcription of The Firebird - Suite. She plays as fast and as powerfully as two people. Probably included just for filler, this piece is wonderful.
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| Petrushka - An SACD showpiece? (review from amazon.com) |
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| Stravinski's Petrushka is an ideal SACD showpiece. It has orchestral size and color in abundance. This recording highlights those characteristics. The percussion is clear and the rhythms are forceful. In fact, the bass drum is one of the deepest I've encountered in a recording, including those captured on Telarc discs. The various sections of the London Symphony Orchestra have separation and depth, perhaps too much separation, betraying a multi-miked production of the 1970's. Sir Charles Mackerras's interpretation is exciting and not exactly mainstream - a good thing, since it gives insight into the dance melodies that are the basis of the piece. Problems? This recording is too bright! In addition, there is a low frequency hum in the last half of the orchestral section. Most of the time is does not detract from the music, but it is there. As for the piano version of the Firebird, it is the best I've heard of a piano on SACD to date. Musically, it is rewarding, as well.
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