From the initial notes of the Le Sacre du printemps—a pleading bassoon line playing high above the instrument’s normal register—Stravinsky’s haunting masterpiece combines edgy thrills for audiences and deep challenges for musicians. There are few versions that can match the composer’s intent as perfectly as this, the original recording of Stravinsky’s chef d’oeuvre. Executed with emotional reverence by New York Philharmonic under the baton of the composer himself, this rendition of the Rite is explosive, intense, and brilliantly performed. Available for the first time in 24-bit audio,
- 2016
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Pierre Boulez
- Bernard Haitink & Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra
- Pierre Boulez & The Cleveland Orchestra
- Chicago Symphony Orchestra & Fritz Reiner
- CBC Symphony Orchestra, Columbia Symphony Orchestra, Elmer Iseler & Festival Singers of Toronto