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Double Double.(The Music)
Last time around, Tom Lyle and Ye Grumpy Olde Editor did something unusual, comparing two recordings of popular rather than classical music. Although it was fun to wander down a side road, I must confess that it certainly feels good to be back listening to orchestral music once again for this issue.
For our return to classical music, Tom and I have decided to compare two recordings of two works by Stravinsky, the 1947 edition of Petrouschka and the 1919 edition of the Firebird Suite. The recordings that we have chosen to audition are both on the Telarc label, because we thought it would be fascinating to compare what has always been regarded as an excellently recorded Telarc CD from a decade or so ago, David Zinman leading the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (CD-80270, released in 1991), with the recent Telarc release featuring Paavo Jarvi conducting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CD-80587).
As always, TL and I have done our listening and writing completely independently. Because this is an odd-numbered issue, I will lead off with my remarks and allow Tom to have the last word.
KWN: Long-time readers will know that I have never been a big fan of Stravinsky; however, both these ballet scores are fun listening, particularly the first half or so of Petrouschka. To my mind, these works, especially Firebird, are true sonic spectacles, and I find that I am interested in the overall sound produced by any recording of them than I am in trying to compare fine points of performance. These are atmospheric pieces of music, and much of the atmosphere is created by the overall sound quality.
That said, I must say that both these recordings sound splendid. Both are rich and full-bodied, with warmth, power, and robust dynamics--certainly the qualities that Stravinsky himself would wish for in a recording (well, maybe not warmth ...)
In comparing them, I found myself impressed by both. To choose between them really is one of those win-win situations championed by Stephen Covey. You really can't go wrong with either one of these disks.
But if I stopped there, Tom would never let me hear the end of it. I guess I have to choose between them--but hey, what have I got to lose?
- Stravinsky: The Firebird, suite; Apollon musagete; Scherzo fantastique. Ricardo...
- Magazine article from: Sensible Sound Puccio, John December 1, 1999 700+ words
Stravinsky: The Firebird, suite; Apollon musagete; Scherzo fantastique. Riccardo Chailly...most enjoyable listening I've experienced in a while. The Firebird Suite is the star attraction, of course, and it is both colorful...
- Stravinsky: Petrouchka; the Firebird Suite; Scherzo a la Russe.
- Magazine article from: Sensible Sound Puccio, John June 1, 2003 700+ words
...recording of something he probably already has. Paavo Jarvi's readings of Stranvinsky's Petrouchka (1947 version), Firebird Suite, and Scherzo a la Russe are perfectly acceptable renderings of these old chestnuts, but I don't see any points about...
- UNIVERSITY OF IOWA SYMPHONY PLAYS THE 'FIREBIRD' SUITE, RACHMANINOFF CONCERTO...
- News wire article from: US Fed News Service, Including US State News September 18, 2009 700+ words
...Memorial Union. The program will be "The Good News from Beijing" by Zheng Lu and Ma Hongye, the 1919 version of "The Firebird" Suite by Igor Stravinsky and the Piano Concerto No. 3 in D minor by Sergei Rachmaninoff, featuring UI School of Music faculty...
- replay; Stravinsky: Firebird Suite (1919);Petrushka Leningrad Philharmonic...
- Newspaper article from: The Independent - London Robert Cowan July 5, 1996 700+ words
Live Mravinsky recordings for a fiver? Absolutely true, though some of the performances featured in the new "Leningrad Masters" series (including Nutcracker excerpts, Shostakovich symphonies, etc) have already appeared on other CD labels. Not, however, this particular coupling. The Firebird's
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...Making a Financial Pledge for Each Double-Double Recorded Throughout the Remainder of...charitable program called the Wrigley's "Double-Double Challenge." The program will benefit...donation each time an NBA player records a double-double, which occurs when a player accumulates...
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- Double Double.
- Magazine article from: Sensible Sound April 1, 1999 700+ words
...standard explanation out of the way: In Double Double, Tom Lyle and Ye Grumpy Olde Editor...When KWN suggested that we write a Double Double article on Vaughan Williams's Seventh...criterion here, it would "win" this Double Double hands down. It's a little on the...
- Courtney Paris makes remarkable routine: OU's double-double dilemma.
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Source: HighBeam Research, Double Double.(The Music)