STRAVINSKY - ANSERMET: The First Decca Recordings - Orchestre de la Suisse Romande, Ansermet (4 CDs)

The Eloquence/Ansermet journey continues with a much-anticipated and unique set: the early Stravinsky/Ansermet Decca discography with recordings made in the decade from 1946–1955, with, as a bonus, the hitherto unissued-on-CD recording of the Divertimento from The Fairy’s Kiss, recorded in 1962. The detailed booklet notes by Richard Kaplan are supplemented with full-page reproductions of many of the original LP covers in both their original form and reissued LP formats. All the recordings appear internationally on Decca CD for the first time.

‘The outstanding feature of this recorded performance is its clarity and incisiveness … this is a most commendable issue’ (L’Oiseau de Feu: Suite rec. 1950) Gramophone

‘This new recording of Stravinsky’s masterpiece – which will become, I am sure, the first big landmark in the history of LP – lights up the orchestral colours with unprecedented vividness and perspective, and all the details of the score are wonderfully clear and excellently balanced … this performance has atmosphere over and above fine playing’ (Petrushka rec. 1949) Gramophone

‘it is with relish and gratitude that we welcome this new issue of one of the master’s greatest works … this performance is full of nobility’ (Symphony of Psalms, rec. 1947) Gramophone

‘thoroughly well recorded’ (Circus Polka rec. 1951) Gramophone

IGOR STRAVINSKY
CD 1
Petrushka (1911 version) rec. 1949
Le Sacre du Printemps rec. 1950
Circus Polka rec. 1951

L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Ernest Ansermet

CD 2
L’Oiseau de feu: Suite (1919) rec. 1950
Divertimento from ‘Le Baiser de la fée’ rec. 1951
Renard rec. 1955 (sung in French)
Michel Sénéchal, Hugues Cuénod, tenors
Heinz Rehfuss, baritone
Xavier Depraz, bass
Istvan Arato, cimbalom
L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Ernest Ansermet

CD 3
Oedipus Rex rec. 1955
Ernst Haefliger, tenor (Oedipus)
Hélène Bouvier, mezzo soprano (Jocasta)
James Loomis, bass-baritone (Créon & Messenger)
André Vessières, bass (Tiresias)
Hugues Cuénod, tenor (Shepherd)
Paul Pasquier, speaker (Narrator)
Société Chorale du Brassus

Divertimento from ‘Le Baiser de la fée’ rec. 1962
L’Orchestre de la Suisse Romande
Ernest Ansermet

CD 4
Petrushka (1911 version, with Ernest Christensen, piano) rec. 1946
L’Oiseau de feu: Suite (1910/1919) rec. 1946
Symphonie de psaumes rec. 1947
London Philharmonic Choir
London Philharmonic Orchestra
Ernest Ansermet