[78-L] Stravinsky Le Sacre Columbia Masterworks MM 417

[David Lewis]

David Hamilton wrote:

 

I don't know of a tombstone edition, but I have a copy of ML4882, which
couples Stravinsky's 1940 NY Phil Sacre with the 1946 NY Phil Firebird Suite
recording (omitting the "connecting interludes" unique to the so-called
"Third Suite."


>>>>

 

Thanks David for this -- I did not know of ML4882. That must be a very short

"Firebird Suite." This "Le Sacre" is ever so slightly condensed, with one tiny

transition snipped out and with the "Augurs" shortened a tad -- it runs 29:57

in my edit (the average is 33-36 minutes elsewhere). Also the band does not

wait out rests, and the tempo is pretty breakneck -- I understand Igor Fyordorovich

was running a 103 degree temperature that day. However, the sloppiness (and

otherness) of this performance is part of what makes it so exciting.

 

I guess this would have been the same percussion section that backed up Bela

Bartok on his and Ditta's recording of the Concerto for 2 pianos and percussion

just 3-4 years later. They didn't really have a good day with the Bartok, but they

are really quite "on" for Stravinsky.


Uncle Dave Lewis uncledavelewis at hotmail.com



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