Mussorgsky Pictures From An Exhibition · Stravinsky The Firebird (Suite, 1919) · Muti

The current Gramophone Compact Disc Guide and Catalogue lists four versions of the Mussorgsky and four of the complete Firebird. One of the latter, Sir Colin Davis and the Concertgebouw Orchestra (Philips 400 074-2PH, 3/83), is like the present issue a digital transfer of an analogue recording and very impressive indeed: in fact it has greater detail and a richer ambience than this EMI. However, so far as performances are concerned, this newcomer can hold its own with most rival CD Pictures and so far as The Firebird is concerned, there is currently no alternative listing of the 1919 suite.

Muti gets excellent playing from the Philadelphia Orchestra and though their response is admirably disciplined, it is never so drilled and hard-driven as some of the later records Muti has made in Philadelphia. Indeed, there is delicacy and poetry in the Dance of the Princesses and the Berceuse in Firebird, and the colours of this score are heard in full splendour. Putting the CD and LP versions side by side, there is no doubt that the new format offers the greater range and firmness.

In any event this is a welcome issue, which can be recommended even to those readers who have not always responded to recent records from this conductor.' (Reviewed: Gramophone 4/1985, Robert Layton)


Philadelphia Orchestra · Riccardo Muti