Search - Nussorgsky, Stravinsky, Philadelphia Orch :: Pictures at an Exhibition / Le Sacre Du Printemps

Fine version of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring.

Omar D. Meza | Rancho Cucamonga, CA | 01/04/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I think this recording is among the best of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring in the current catalogue. I have not heard many of the acclaimed versions of this powerful work, but I can say that this is a very essential interpretation of an essential piece of music.Muti and the Philadelphians give a passionately emotional but precise account that is only slightlty marred by a rather thick recording that tends to muddy the textures in tuttis, especially when there is a lot of drumming, which is often. The warmth of the recording aids in expression, though, and in the end it's the performance that matters.Everything is played extremely well, one could say effortlessly -which can be good or bad in this piece- and there is a real sense of commitment. The fast parts are brutally rhythmic and full, but exact; and the more introverted ones almost sweet, not clinical -as they tend to be in other recordings. The strings tend to dominate much of the texture, with marked brass interjections. Woodwinds are better heard during quieter passages, or when the strings aren't so busy.If you're looking for timbral crudeness you're not likely to find it here, since this performance isn't very "rude". It's passionate and exciting in an orchestrally beautiful way -quite hard to explain, but if you've heard the Philadelphia Orchestra in the last twenty years you'll know what I mean.One point to consider: This same recording is available in an "EMI Encore" reissue for less than half the price of this CD. It also comes with the Mussorgsky."