Stravinsky Conducts Stravinsky: Firebird-Complete/Scherzo/Firework

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what more can you ask, stravinsky conducting stravinsky. received the cd promptly and am satisfied with it.

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From the opening notes to the final cymbal clash, all around magnificent. I own three and a half other recordings of "L'Oiseau de feu" (counting FANTASIA 2000), none which can match the power of the composer's own take at it. 50 years after it was first written, the great Igor Stravinsky recreates what is possibly his greatest work (I prefer it over "Le Sacre du Printemps") in full stereophonic sound.

The control of the orchestra, and the force given throughout create a wonderful listening experience that had me mesmorized from the opening track. Being the complete work instead of the more popular suite brings the drama to full circle, making all other versions inadequete and lacking in proper form. I have heard the piece performed live in its entirty (in a concert though, not a performance of the ballet) and not even that matched the power of this recording (and I was blown away by that, stating it beat out my Bernstein recording).

We are very fortunate that Stravinsky lived in the U.S. in the later years of his life, and that he had access to record all of his works himself, and the way he intended them (without dying dinosaurs or forest sprites), whereas most other great composers' works cannot be heard as they were originally performed or intended (i.e. Beethoven's piano works and Mozart's operas).

This is a must for all fans of Stravinsky to own, and if you were brought into his work through either FANTASIA film, it is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT that you listen to this, as you will understand why he hated the orginal since it butchered his "Le Sacre du Printemps."

I would recommend his dual recording of "Le Sacre" and "Petrouchka," but unfortunately I do not have it, but Stravinsky himself liked Leonard Bernstein's recordings of his work, so I would suggest either the rare 1958 (Stravinsky's personal favorite) or more common 1975 "Le Sacre" and his recording of "Petrouchka," both of which I find to be of the same calibre as this recording.

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Igor Stravinsky's work is beautifully illustrated in this digital recording of "The Firebird." Second only to a live performance, I thoroughly enjoy this CD and have quickly made it a favorite to my classical music collection.

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The Firebird is an enjoyable listen, especially on a lazy Sunday afternoon (unless it's football season).

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There is much to be learned about how Stravinsky thought about his music from these fine old performances.