[.ca] Firebird/Fireworks/4 Etudes

Un Essentiel amazon.fr:
La stature imposante d'Igor Stravinsky domine sans conteste la musique du XXe siècle. Ses trois grands ballets des années 1910 (L'Oiseau de feu, Petrouchka, Le Sacre du printemps) sont aujourd'hui devenus de grands classiques. Premier par ordre chronologique, L'Oiseau de feu concilie une écriture par moment assez traditionnelle à une orchestration et un sens du rythme totalement stravinskiens. Flamboyante, la vision du chef français est de bout en bout très narrative. D'une splendeur enivrante, la prise de son participe à ce festival de couleurs. À noter que Pierre Boulez a également gravé plusieurs versions de référence du Sacre du printemps et de Petrouchka. Pour Sony, il a aussi donné un enregistrement de la suite de L'Oiseau de feu - il s'agit ici, pour Deutsche Grammophon, de l'enregistrement intégral du ballet. Quoi qu'il en soit, voici un disque absolument essentiel. --Pierre Massé

From Amazon.com:
Stravinsky did three orchestral versions of his famous ballet, The Firebird (1910). The two that are mostly played today are a shorter version arranged in 1945, which is about 30 minutes long, and the original ballet suite, which is more than 45 minutes long. This is that version. The extended repeats and transitional material, in the right hands, give the whole work a decidedly spectral character. This, Boulez does expertly. (And the CSO has never sounded so...light on its feet.) Also here is the early Fireworks, where you can almost hear The Firebird approaching. The Four Etudes for Orchestra finish the disc like a snifter of brandy. --Paul Cook

Absolutely Stellar!:
The CSO and Boulez are a dynamic duo, with several amazing recordings to their credit. This Firebird is quite possibly one of the best recordings in my collection, soaring above even the Ansermet/New Philharmonia recording in dramatic intensity and polish. This work comes across with distinct clarity, especially in the rhythmic Danse Infernale, which truly lives up to its name in spark and exhaustively percussive texture. This is not to say that the melodic lines in the Khorovod or Final do not soar as well, for these are especially noteworthy as some of the few truly flawless oboe and horn solos heard in today's recordings. Boulez has a special affinity for Stravinsky here, giving shattering performances of Feux d'Artifice and the Etudes as well.

This is the joy that the only the CSO & Stravinsky can bring:
The CSO never disapoints me in the quality of its recordings. I am amazed by this recording. I have seen them preform the Firebirds twice and know that few things are as refined yet passionate as their Firebirds. This recording is the best Ihave heard and I have listened too different recordings at record stores. This is to good to be true. The trombone and trumpeters are superb in there tempo and dynamics. The basson and oboe haunting and unsurpassed. And the strings and purcussion are perfect. This music is so suttle that it can easly be overpowered by poor dymanic control or imperfect timing, this does not happen her. CSO KUDOS AGAIN!

Fantastic Full-Length Firebird!:
Another great disc from Pierre Boulez and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra! Packed full of electric energy, this disc is a great reminder that the Firebird is, first and foremost, a ballet and not simply an orchestral showpiece. Stravinksy's music bristles with movement, which is accentuated by Deutsche Grammophon's brilliant soundscape. For 46 minutes the listener is transported through the intangible world of good and evil. When Stravinsky drops you throught the portal on the other side at the finale 'Rejoicing', there can be no doubt that good has triumphed. This is some of the best music ever written. It is a pleasure to hear it in its entirety. The orchestral fantasy 'Fireworks' is a perfect encore to the Firebird with its jubilant percolations. The four Etudes are more modern in tone, but make a delightful curtain closer. "Madrid" especially will capture your attention. In short, this is a Stravinsky disc not to be overlooked!

Boulez's Electrifying Interpretation of Stravinsky:
Pierre Boulez and the Chicago Symphony Orchestra have wrought one of the most emotionally stirring recordings I have heard of Stravinsky's Firebird ballet score. It crackles with warmth, energy, and enthusiasm from the very first note. Boulez's dramatic reading is the latest is a series of exceptional recordings he's made of Stravinsky's music; clearly he's one of its foremost interpreters. Although the Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays brilliantly for its music director, Daniel Barenboim, I have been struck by their exceptional level of playing for Boulez. I doubt I have heard the brass section sparkle with refined, elegant playing as I have heard on Boulez's Chicago Symphony Orchestra recordings for Deutsche Grammophon. The two pieces which follow the rarely heard original Firebird score sound just as radiant too.

Boulez's / CSO's Performance of "The Firebird":
Boulez was a recent conductor I knew, but he became one of my favorite conductors alive today when I heard his performance of "The Firebird" with the CSO. Salonen's performance is very good too, but Boulez's performance sounds very "clean" and "pure", especially the brasses. In the finale, Boulez's performance is excellent! Boulez's Firebird Recording with the CSO is one of my masterpieces! (I don't have the CD, but I rented from a library and recorded into my MD and tape.)

• The Firebird: Introduction
• The Firebird: Kashchei's Magic Garden
• The Firebird: Appearance Of The Firebird
• The Firebird: Dance Of The Firebird
• The Firebird: Ivan-Tsarevich Captures The Firebird
• The Firebird: The Firebird's Entreaties
• The Firebird: The Princesses' Game With The Golden Apples
• The Firebird: Sudden Appearance Of Ivan-Tsarevich
• The Firebird: The Princesses' Khorovod (Round Dance)
• The Firebird: Daybreak - Ivan-Tsarevich Enters Kashchei's Palace
• The Firebird: Magic Carillon, Appearance Of Kashchei's Guardian Monsters And The Capture Of Ivan-Tsarevich - Arrival Of Kashchei The Immortal - Kashchei's dialogue With Ivan-Tsarevich - Intercession Of The Princesses - Appearance Of The Firebird
• The Firebird: Dance of Kashchei's retinue, Under The Firebird's Spell
• The Firebird: Infernal Dance Of All Of Kashchei's Subjects
• The Firebird: Lullaby (The Firebird)
• The Firebird: Disappearance Of The Palace And Dissolution Of Kashchei's Enchantments; Animation Of The Petrified Knights; General Rejoicing
• Fireworks: Orchestral Fantasy Op. 4
• Four Studies: 1. Dance
• Four Studies: 2. Eccentric
• Four Studies: 3. Canticle
• Four Studies: 4. Madrid