Track Listing

1. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. Introduction
2. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. The Harbingers of Spring
3. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. Game of Abduction
4. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. Spring Rounds
5. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. Games of Rival Tribes
6. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. Procession of the Sage
7. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. The Sage
8. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 1: Adoration of the Earth. Dance of the Earth
9. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 2: The Sacrifice. Introduction
10. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 2: The Sacrifice. Mystic Circles of the Young Girls
11. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 2: The Sacrifice. Glorification of the Chosen One
12. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 2: The Sacrifice. Evocation of the Elders
13. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 2: The Sacrifice. Ritual Action of the Elders
14. Le Sacre du printemps (The Rite of Spring), ballet in 2 parts for orchestra: Part 2: The Sacrifice. Sacrificial Dance - The Chosen On
15. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): 1. Tempo giusto
16. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): - Adagio non troppo
17. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): 2. Allegro
18. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): - Presto
19. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): - Andante un poco tranquillo
20. Symphony No. 5, FS 97 (Op. 50): - Allegro

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #34672 in Music
• Released on: 2004-09-28
• Number of discs: 1
• Format: Hybrid SACD - DSD
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Customer Reviews

An Outstanding Performance of Nielsen's Fifth
Paavo Järvi continues to explore the entire repertoire of orchestral masterpieces with his ongoing series of recordings with the Cincinnati Symphony. Some would fear that he is recording too many eras of music too quickly and the lack of success in every performance may add to that fear. But at least we have a vital conductor who has molded his orchestra into a fine ensemble responsive to his every command.

Stravinsky's oft-recorded 'Le sacre du printemps' holds its own as far as clarity of reading. Clearly Järvi is in the Boulez camp of keeping his eye and ear on inner voices. Yet at this point that clarity sacrifices the innate brutality of the score that makes live performances (and certainly some superb recorded ones!) stun the listener. Perhaps in time he will find the visceral aspects of this score, but at this point he at least finds hidden moments in the complex places.

The Nielsen Fifth Symphony is given a full out, no holds barred performance that has all of the sweep of any of the best recordings. Each of the orchestral sections sound strong and all play with robust conviction. Here Järvi pulls drama and urgency from his orchestra and the result is a very fine addition to the Nielsen recorded choices. Grady Harp, August 05

A mixed bag: good Nielsen, so-so Stravinsky

Very much a disc of two halves - the Rite of Spring is well played but sounds really too comfortable compared to other fine versions by Markevitch, Boulez, Karajan, Muti and Inbal - among others. The sound too lacks impact with a low transfer level. This work really needs more aggression to come into its own than we get here.

However the Nielsen Fifth (probably his best symphony) is much better, more abandoned and visceral, and the sound is more vivid with greater presence - and it seems to be 'cut' at a higher level than the Stravinsky. This is comparable with Blomstedt on Decca and is a solid recommendation.

Both recordings (made a month apart in early 2004) make discreet use of the rear channels although the Stravinsky seems more loaded towards the fronts, so the Nielsen is the finer recording sonically as well as interpretatively - and rates just a little below the very best SACDs I have from a sound reproduction viewpoint.

So forget the Rite, there are just too many better performances around, but the Nielsen is worth investigating, a pity it comes yoked to the Stravinsky.

exhilarating!
Maestro Jarvi's readings are competent and
commendable--especially on that most famous work of the great Stravinsky--
recommended.