Search - Stravinsky, Golovchin, State Symphony Orchestra :: Symphony in 3 Movements

Enticing

David Saemann | 03/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Igor Golovschin is one of the finest conductors of his generation. His recordings of Rachmaninoff's Second and Third Symphonies are wonderful. Here he demonstrates a splendidly mature feeling for Stravinsky. It is delightful to hear these works played by a Russian orchestra. They bring an extra dimension of color and savvy to these compositions. The Symphony may not be the most hard hitting version of this work available, but the second movement is splendidly lyrical and there is a fine sense of style throughout the piece. The Firebird Suite (This is the 1945 Suite, which contains more music than the more popular 1919 Suite.) is sensitive and pointed, and highly idiomatic. The sound engineering, from the Great Hall of the Moscow Conservatory, is clear and well balanced, if not especially vivid. I enjoyed this disc very much."