Stravinsky: The Firebird & Rimsky-Korsakov: Le Coq d’Or

Onyx / 2018

The sound-worlds of the two pieces are as strikingly similar as the stories which inspired them, with shimmering strings and glittering brass and high percussion conjuring an atmosphere of exoticism and enchantment, and Petrenko’s acute ear for balance ensures that every magical detail registers…The clean, spare textures reminded me more than ever of the kinship between The Firebird and Petrushka or even The Rake’s Progress.

Rimsky Korsakov: Le Coq d’Or Suite
I. Tsar Dodon in His Palace
II. Tsar Dodon on the Battlefield
III. Tsar Dodon as the Guest of the Queen of Shemakha
IV. The Wedding and Lamentable End of Dodon

Stravinsky: The Firebird
I. Introduction
II. Le jardin enchanté de Kastchei
III. Apparition de l’oiseau de feu, poursuivi par Ivan Tsarevitch
IV. Danse de l’oiseau de feu
V. Capture de l’oiseau de feu par Ivan Tsarevitch
VI. Supplications de l’oiseau de feu
VII. Apparition des treize princesses enchantées
VIII. Brusque apparition d’Ivan Tsarévitch – IX. Khorovod (ronde) des princesses
X. Lever du jour – XI. Carillon féerique – XIII. Arrivée de Kastchei l’immortel – Dialogue de Kastchei avec Ivan Tsarevitch – Intercession des princesses
XV. Danse de la suite de Kashchei enchantée par l’Oiseau de feu
XVI. Danse infernale de tous les sujets de Kashchei
XVII. Berceuse (l’oiseau de feu)
XVIII. Réveil de Kashchei – mort de Kashchei – profondes ténèbres
XIX. Disparition du palais et des sortilèges de Kastchei, animation des chevaliers petrifiés. Allegresse génerale

Presto Recording of the Week and Recording of the Year finalist

“The sound-worlds of the two pieces are as strikingly similar as the stories which inspired them, with shimmering strings and glittering brass and high percussion conjuring an atmosphere of exoticism and enchantment, and Petrenko’s acute ear for balance ensures that every magical detail registers…The clean, spare textures reminded me more than ever of the kinship between The Firebird and Petrushka or even The Rake’s Progress.” – Presto Music

“The best moments in this Firebird aren’t the raucous ones. Petrenko homes in on the fine details, like a craftsman working with gold leaf and the finest of brushes…the Khorovod and Berceuse are incredibly beautiful, handled like porcelain, the conductor happy to linger over tender moments… From its opening pinpoint trumpet cock-crow, Petrenko’s Rimsky is just as exquisite…This is a most attractive release.” – Gramophone