Stravinsky: Symphonies - Symphony in 3 Movements / Symphony in C / Symphony of Psalms
Stravinsky's 1945 Symphony in Three Movements is a predominately dark work, largely inspired by the chaos of war. Its rhythmic drive relates to his great ballet scores, as does the neoclassical 1940 Symphony in C. The austerely radiant 1930 Symphony of Psalms for chorus and an orchestra, from which violins and violas have been expunged, reflects the composer's return to his Orthodox roots. Solti responds nicely to the spiky, thrustful qualities in I & III of the Symphony in Three Movements, and shapes the Andante, salvaged from an abortive film score, with grave loveliness. He's also fine at coping with the tricky cross-rhythms of the Haydnesque Symphony in C. The Symphony of Psalms gets a sturdy reading, and the virtuoso orchestra shines throughout. A convenient way to get all Stravinsky's mature symphonies on one well-played disc.--Dan Davis