Gringolts nails Stravinsky's sometimes knotty violin output.

The ensemble’s pianist Stefan Cassomenos talks developing Australian culture and the challenges facing young composers. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

I was bemused to read, when perusing the publicity, that the three works here had been “curated”. I thought “curate” described an exhibition of objects (usually art works) which had been lent or borrowed from various sources. It’s stretching things to say three mainstream works performed in rapid succession in a loosely structured series have been curated! That said, these two CDs showcase the level David Robertson has brought the Sydney Symphony to during his tenure as Chief Conductor. The only problem with the complete Firebird ballet is that the first half, with its shimmering (and the SSO certainly knows how to shimmer – beautifully) textures seems to last forever: I found myself longing for something to happen amid all the colour and movement of the more familiar suites, which, when they finally arrived, were worth waiting for. Petrushka is probably the best prospect for “tunes”. Here, Robertson went for loud primary Kandinsky-like colours and textures, but also captured the sinister overtones of the sadistic Moor. The Rite of Spring was a real savage, not a “pet” one, to coin Stravinsky’s own rebarbative description of Karajan’s version of the work. (He also described his Dance of the… Continue reading Get…

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★★★★☆ Robertson and the SSO revel in all the fun of Stravinsky’s fair. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in

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★★★★☆ Robertson and co. give Stravinsky’s subtle and delicate score an appropriate treatment. Continue reading Get unlimited digital access from $4 per month Subscribe Already a subscriber? Log in