Igor Stravinsky Columbia Symphony Orchestra CBC Symphony Orchestra - Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky Symphony of PsalmsSymphony in 3 Movements (10 tracks) +Album Reviews

Conductor-Proof Stravinsky: The Best of the Best

TUCO H. | Los Angeles, CA | 10/09/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Stravinsky's version of "Symphony of Psalms" is MUCH, MUCH better than the Bernstein version picked over it in the Penguin Classical guide. It's odd that Stravinsky himself liked Bernstein's interpretation of his famous piece, considering his openly stated horror of 'interpretations' (such as Karajan's and Stokowoski's) and his life-long quest to write conductor-proof music, because his own version couldn't be more different; it has all the rough edges, rhythmic vitality, sense of danger, and precisely controlled tempos that Bernstein's lacks. Bernstein's version is for sleepwalkers only.In fact, "The Firebird" is the only piece Stravinsky conducted himself which I've heard conducted better by others (Dorati's version picked over it in the Penguin Guide is one of them). Stravinsky's own Symphony in C is peerless, so is the Rite-of-Spring-like Symphony in 3 movements. After I'm done listening to and being disappointed by everything else and want something that really digs deep and 'balances my soul,' as it were, I always come back to good old Stravinsky; and man, am I glad he's there!"

Best Stravinsky

Juan Keledjian | MIAMI, FL USA | 03/16/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I can't agree with that opinion about Stravinsky's bad conduction. I've heard most of the few versions available of his Symphony of Salms, and when I got this one, I had to trash the others. The deep and profound double fugue is astonishing; the phrasing of the melody puts other versions to shame. It's both spiritual and scaring, and the sound competes with modern versions. I would also recommend Stravinsky's version of his Rite of Spring, on the same series, the only version you can really hear the true primitive and percussive character of this piece. The opportunity of listening masterpieces like these conducted by the composer and still having an excellent interpretation and sound quality is one in a lifetime. Don't miss this one."

History more important than the Sound.

Warlen Bassham | Bothell, WA United States | 01/12/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"OK, so this recording was made a long time ago, and it shows.Never mind! You will never hear grander performances of these three works. Who better to interpret Stravinsky's music than the composer himself?The two orchestral symphonies are wonderful, but the prize on this recording is the Symphony of Psalms. The first time I ever heard the piece was at a San Francisco Symphony concert with Stravinsky conducting-- an electrifying experience. This recording, though it's of a different performance, captures that moment perfectly. I can close my eyes and see Stravinsky's tight, coiled beat-- can watch the concertmaster's eyes as he was transfixed by the composer's every move-- can see the awe-struck chorus members as they nervously blended with the orchestra.And I can relive that moment when the sound died finally away and the audience leaped as one person to its feet.If music can change people (and it can), then this music will change people forever."

Stravinsky Captures The World War II Age

Stephen Martin | Idaho, USA | 04/12/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have listened many times to this particular recording of the "Symphony in Three Movements", "Symphony in C", and also The "Symphony of Psalms"First of all, I must say that it is probably one of the best performances you can find on CD of these works. Stravinsky himself conducted the concerts in the 1960s.The music itself cannot be easily evaluated.The Symphony in three movements is sort of an artist interpretation of some camera footage of world war II by stravinsky. The three movements evoke quite an image of this great cataclysm of the twentieth century. My favorite is the second movement, which is dissonant but somehow (sickeningly?) sweet.Symphony in C is a must hear for anyone interested in Stravinsky's music. He wrote the symphony during a very troubled time in his life. His wife's health was deteriorating, and eventually she died, however Stravinsky himself tried to keep his symphony clean of this type of sorrowful emotion. It is possibly one of his most "easily admired" works, having been composed in C, a very basic key with less chromatic dissonance.Symphony of Psalms is another great work. A Very fascinating approach to the text of the psalms. Stravisky points out that the psalms are not just a happy-go-lucky set of poems, but rather contain even fearful images and much intensity.If you are interested in twentieth century art music in the very least, you simply must listen to this CD."

A prized recording

Stephen Martin | 07/07/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Igor Stravinsky conducts three of his own masterpieces in this compilation of recordings from the 1960's. SYMPHONY IN THREE MOVEMENTS was inspired by wartime newsreels. The vitriolic outer movements show definite jazz and big-band influence - which the CBC orchestra glories in - while the second movement is of a classical tranquility and grace. The elegant SYMPHONY IN C was meant as a tribute to Haydn and Bach; but the haunting, unresolved bitonal chord that dissolves into silence in the end makes the work quintessentially modern. And the SYMPHONY OF PSALMS, one of the great religious works of the 20th century, is heavenly music; Stravinsky and his forces give it an austere reading of almost chamber-music clarity. These performances leave nothing to be desired. This CD has become one of my most prized recordings."

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