Search - Stravinsky, Temirkanov :: Strainsky : Petrouchka / Rite of Spring

Not Temirkanov's best Stravinsky, but close

Santa Fe Listener | Santa Fe, NM USA | 11/01/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"In 1975 Temirkanov released a phenomenal Petrushka with the Leningrad Phil. in spectacular form, coupled with an equally dazzling Daphnis and Chloe Suite #2. Here, in a 1990 remake with the Royal Phil., he seems less inspired. For one thing, the orchestra itself is markedly inferior to the Leningrad orchestra. In terms of commitment and excitment, the playing on this CD doesn't come close to the New York Phil. under Bernstein. Even so, these are very good performances, and I intend to keep them around just for those moments when Temirkanov has an original idea. His Rite of Spring starts off coolly, and even when the orchestra lets fly, the slashing strings and yawping horns are less prominent than in most recordings. However, things soon turn volcanic, even brutal, and the sonics are head-banging, with crushing lower brass. The Petrushka is eerie and jagged, and it has its moments of unleashed violence as well. Given all in all, I can't rank this as Temirkanov's best Stravinsky, but it comes close."