Rite of Spring
Fri, Aug 17 2012, 7:41PM
Wich performance would you recommend me, IF YOU HAVE TO TAKE ON ACCOUNT, ABOVE ALL, THE AUDIO QUALITY, AND THE "PRECISION" ON THE ORCHESTRAL PLAYING
Thanks. h.
Sat, Aug 18 2012, 5:38PM
#2
RE: Rite of Spring
For me, the best sound (in SACD) and brilliant precision in performing such a work of bombastic and subtle parts is the one with Jonathan Nott and the Bamberg S.O., on Tudor.
Close to the above comes the brand new Ivan Fischer recording, on Channel Classics (in SACD). Litton and the Bergen S.O., on BIS (in SACD too), is less impressive in sound, pretty good in precision. Marriss Jansons with the glorious Concertgebouw gives a "live" very precise account, in fairly good SACD sound too.
From the regular recordings, the excellent recording of the Atlanta S.O. under Y. Levi is both impressive in sound reproduction and precise enough to keep you on your toes. Boulez is always a very good option as for the performance, but not for the recording compared to the aforesaid ones.
Parla
Sat, Aug 18 2012, 5:59PM
#3
RE: Rite of Spring
Ah, yes, Nott's recording was well received, wasn't it? It's one of the few Bamberg/Nott discs I haven't got - an excellent combination of conductor, orchestra and record company (Tudor: they deserve the laurels). I'm surprised, Parla, you didn't think the Litton better recorded than you suggest - but I'm sure you have your reasons, and my equipment is pretty modest. (The converse is that when discs are well recorded, in standard CD, that makes itself immediately apparent. I hold by my recommendation.)
It's good that there's no shortage of well-recorded AND well-executed Rites of Spring - not something that can always be said of repertoire, or of wonderful performances let down by only average recording.
Sun, Aug 19 2012, 1:17AM
#4
RE: Rite of Spring
Well, it looks that there are enough good performances to choose from. Thank you very much for the recommendations. h.
Sun, Aug 19 2012, 6:52PM
#5
RE: Rite of Spring
And one more, Rene Leibowitz, arch serialist composer and conductor; pupil of Ravel & teacher of Boulez. Stunning performance on Chesky (if it's currently available) with the pseudonymous "London Festival Orchestra". Fantastic brilliance & immediacy of sound with superb stereo imaging. Coupled with an equally brillliant Petroushka from Oscar Danon and the RPO.
Both originally Decca made recordings for RCA/Reader's Digest.
If sound and precision are priorities, then I'd suggest Boulez and the Cleveland Orchestra, on Deutsche Grammophon (1992), or Litton and the Bergen Philharmonic, on BIS (2011). I've yet to get my head fully round the new Ivan Fischer with the Budapest Festival on Channel Classics, but I imagine that would be a contender for some.
John