Oedipus rex is among the least recorded of Stravinsky's major works, perhaps because it offers conductors few opportunities to shine. Yet as the composer's two recordings, on Philips and CBS (the first with Sir Peter Pears—both nla), and the fine Orfeo/Harmonia Mundi account under Sir Colin Davis indicate, the extraordinary way in which it conveys the essence of its tragic, horrific tale through music at once highly evocative (of Italian opera) and intensely personal makes it one of the most powerful of all twentieth-century dramatic works.
That sense of power is certainly not lacking in Solti's performance. Sir Peter Pears, late in his career, and Kerstin Meyer both have moments of unsteadiness, but there is no slackening in dramatic tension, and the supporting singers are generally excellent. Alec McCowan's presentation of the English narration works well, but I can see little point—especially on CD—in repeating Act 1's concluding chorus after the narration that opens Act 2. This makes some sense when the work is performed with a break in the theatre, but few listeners to Oedipus on disc will not approach it as a work in one continuous act.
The sound is adequate, though without the balance between spaciousness and clarity that we would expect from a new recording. Decca deserve praise for providing a full libretto with a medium-price reissue.'