Stravinsky: Firebird, Rite Of Spring, Persephone / Tilson Thomas, San Francisco SO
Here's a Stravinsky set to raise eyebrows. Where isPetrouchka, the standard coupling forFirebirdandRitein collections of the great early Stravinsky ballet scores? Instead, we get the too rarely heardPerséphone, and it's the highlight of the set. Premiered in 1934 to a text by André Gide,Perséphoneis a retelling of the Greek fertility myth of the earth's winter death and spring renewal. The tale drew from Stravinsky some of his most delicate and beautiful music in the neoclassical style of the period, a sibling to the balletsApolloandOrpheusand the cantataOedipus Rex(it also includes string figures that recall those works).Stephanie Cosserat, in the title role, is a youthfully persuasive narrator, very different from Vera Zorina's oracular reciter on Stravinsky's own recording. Stuart Neill's tenor is a big plus, and the orchestra and chorus play and sing with involvement.Michael Tilson Thomasbrings out the cool tenderness of the score, and the recording, made at a live performance, is truthful. HisFirebirdis lushly dramatic, and theRite's barbaric thrust is leavened by some soulful wind playing. Recorded competition in the two ballets is fierce (along with Gergiev's recentFirebirdon Philips, there are classic versions byAnsermet,Dorati,Haitink, and others, including the composer) butPerséphonemakes this set an attractive proposition.--Dan Davis