My 'Rite of Spring' quest is complete!
Posted by: Hot Rats on 06 February 2010
I didn't get round to buying the LSO/Abbado version although I would like to hear it sometime.
I bought a mono vinyl copy off eBay for £5:
This is the USA cover although my pressing is UK. The record needs a clean but I'm sure it will clean up nicely. I have always liked the Suisse Romande/Ansermet version. It is not too frantic to listen to ... I guess it's as close to 'new age' as this work will ever get!
The I discovered that I had previously purchased this version:
This Kirov/Gergiev recording has some real sonic fireworks going down. Timpani sounds really great. It is probably the longest wait known for the final chord ... almost five seconds! Can't remember when I bought this but it was some years ago.
Then the jewel in the crown:
This 1958 recording by Leonard Bernstein gets rave reviews but it is so hard to find. The reissue on CD ...
... now attracts high bids on eBay.
Then I discovered this:
10CDs of Leonard Bernstein conducting including that 'Rite of Spring'. I paid £24 for my copy of the box. If you decide to get one for yourself, make sure that all the CDs are present in the replica sleeves. I had one missing but Amazon sent a replacement box by return post. Also make sure you get the right box. There is also an 'Original Jacket' set of Bernstein conducting his own works, which I am sure is also worthwhile and can be bought for £17 new on eBay.
I have played my way through the entire set during the past couple of days. Wonderful music and superb sound from the original recordings ...
... and Bernstein's 1957 'Rite of Spring' is quite simply stunning!
I bought a mono vinyl copy off eBay for £5:
This is the USA cover although my pressing is UK. The record needs a clean but I'm sure it will clean up nicely. I have always liked the Suisse Romande/Ansermet version. It is not too frantic to listen to ... I guess it's as close to 'new age' as this work will ever get!
The I discovered that I had previously purchased this version:
This Kirov/Gergiev recording has some real sonic fireworks going down. Timpani sounds really great. It is probably the longest wait known for the final chord ... almost five seconds! Can't remember when I bought this but it was some years ago.
Then the jewel in the crown:
This 1958 recording by Leonard Bernstein gets rave reviews but it is so hard to find. The reissue on CD ...
... now attracts high bids on eBay.
Then I discovered this:
10CDs of Leonard Bernstein conducting including that 'Rite of Spring'. I paid £24 for my copy of the box. If you decide to get one for yourself, make sure that all the CDs are present in the replica sleeves. I had one missing but Amazon sent a replacement box by return post. Also make sure you get the right box. There is also an 'Original Jacket' set of Bernstein conducting his own works, which I am sure is also worthwhile and can be bought for £17 new on eBay.
I have played my way through the entire set during the past couple of days. Wonderful music and superb sound from the original recordings ...
... and Bernstein's 1957 'Rite of Spring' is quite simply stunning!