Track Listing

1. Symphony of Psalms, for chorus & orchestra: Part I. Exaudi orationem meam
2. Symphony of Psalms, for chorus & orchestra: Part II. Expectans expectavi Dominum
3. Symphony of Psalms, for chorus & orchestra: Part III. Alleluja. Laudate Dominum
4. Symphony in C, for orchestra in C major: I. Moderato alla breve
5. Symphony in C, for orchestra in C major: II. Larghetto concertante
6. Symphony in C, for orchestra in C major: III. Allegretto
7. Symphony in C, for orchestra in C major: IV. Largo - Tempo giusto, alla breve
8. Symphony in Three Movements, for orchestra: I. Overture. Allegro
9. Symphony in Three Movements, for orchestra: II. Andante - Interlude: L'istesso tempo
10. Symphony in Three Movements, for orchestra: III. Con moto

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #48910 in Music
• Brand: Sony
• Released on: 1994-01-11
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Amazon.com
Stravinsky's own performances of his orchestral works (also issued by Sony), whatever their technical shortcomings, are the place where we start consideration of recordings. Michael Tilson Thomas is a better leader of orchestras than Stravinsky was. His musicians play (and sing) more precisely for him, and of course they are far better recorded. So, actually, this is a highly attractive disc, and can be recommended as a good second opinion. The rhythmic impulse of Stravinsky's own performances, though, remains unique and definitive. --Leslie Gerber

Customer Reviews

Great Music, OK Recording & Performance
This disc presents Stravinsky's 3 great symphonies in chronological order, recorded in 'high definition' digital sound. The performances are quite good, but occasionally underenergized, and the sound is OK, but generally could be better (too much dynamic range for me, and occasional intrusive noises from the orchestra). I suspect it would be more satisfactory with more expensive equipment in a soundprood listening room! Basically, I agree with Leslie Gerber.

Detailed, fitfully exciting conducting with no spine at all
This CD would be a dud if it styaed on the level of the first work, the Symphony of Psalms, which MTT plays as smoothly as melted candle wax and far too piously. There's hardly a sharp accent in it; all the corners are rounded off. As far as detail goes, the LSO and its professional chorus are excellent, but there's no spine to hold the piece together. Two stars.

Both the Sym. in C and the Sym. in Three Movements start off vigorously. MTT thinks of them as melliflous works, so there's no acerbic edge to the Sym. in Three Movements. However, the conductor's sprightliness generates its own verve and joy--in spots. Maddeningly, just when he gets going, MTT is liable to lapse into pointless noodling and slack rhythms--this is especially true in the slow movement of both works. At his best he offers delightful inner details, and there's no doubt that MTT directs traffic very well in the intricately contrapuntal passages. The absence of a spine to hold the pieces together remains a problem.

Overall, this CD will appeal most to those who want Stravinsky to be a lot prettier than he usually is (whether condcuted by the astringent composer himself or others) and will turn off listeners who expect this music to be bracing, jagged, and strong-limbed.

Buy it for Symphony of Psalms
Igor Stravinsky has been my favorite 20-century composer for many years, and I was very pleased to have purchased this CD a long time ago. Symphony of Psalms, one of my favorite choral works, stands as a monumental masterpiece. The orchestra and choir do just fine, and the tempi are superb. Symphony in C is kinda boring in most parts. There seems to be no loudness througout the twenty-minute piece. Symphony in Three Movements has one of my favorite segments: the Overture, Allegro. It is quite energetic for an atonal symphony. All in all, good CD, though they could have added the Symphony of Wind Instruments here, but oh well.