Soundbite 60: A sixty-word précis-review of the latest CD releases
Stravinsky
Petrushka [1947 Version] Bartók
The Miraculous Mandarin [complete]
Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra
Christoph von Dohnányi
Recorded December 1977 in the Sofiensaal, Musikverein, Vienna
CD No: DECCA ELOQUENCE 476 2686 Duration: 68 minutes Reviewed: January 2007
Petrushka & The Miraculous Mandarin
...a sixty-word review by Paul Cherry
A hard-edged account appropriate to Stravinskys clear-sighted revision, Dohnányi presenting a graphic and lucid realisation rather than a fairy-tale narrative. The lurid story that Bartóks score depicts is also objective. Musicianship and execution is at a high level; too meticulous, maybe, and lacking greasepaint but the sound is excellent and this CD is a fine budget-price intro to both ballets.