COMPOSERS: Bartok/Stravinsky
LABELS: Virgin Virgo
WORKS: The Miraculous Mandarin; Apollon musagète
PERFORMER: Faye Dumont Singers, Melbourne SO/Hiroyuki Iwaki; Scottish CO/Jukka-Pekka Saraste
CATALOGUE NO: VJ 5 61106 2 DDD (1990)
Nothing could be further removed from the cool detachment of Stravinsky’s refined ballet score than Bartók’s portrayal of brutal decadence. Yet the combination of the two works makes for a fascinating programme, much enhanced by strong performances from both orchestras and excellent sound. A bargain by any standards which offers the newcomer a marvellous introduction to the music of two of our century’s greatest composers. Erik Levi
Bartok/Stravinsky: The Miraculous Mandarin; Apollon musagète
Nothing could be further removed from the cool detachment of Stravinsky’s refined ballet score than Bartók’s portrayal of brutal decadence. Yet the combination of the two works makes for a fascinating programme, much enhanced by strong performances from both orchestras and excellent sound. A bargain by any standards which offers the newcomer a marvellous introduction to the music of two of our century’s greatest composers. Erik Levi
Our rating
4
