London Philharmonic Orchestra, Klaus Tennstedt - Stravinsky: Petrushka & The Firebird Suite (2018)

The two works on this release were conducted by the late Klaus Tennstedt who had a long and close association with the London Philharmonic Orchestra, including serving as Principal Conductor from 198387. Tennstedt rarely conducted ballet music, but his physical exuberance shines through in these recordings. This is the first ever release of Stravinskys works conducted by Klaus Tennstedt and it adds to a growing collection of his critically acclaimed live performances on the LPO label. Beethovens Sixth Symphony is a Gramophone Editors Choice and was described as a visionary performance. Of the collection of Mahlers symphonies, Classic FM Magazine said musically it sweeps away everything before it. The pieces come from early in Stravinskys career. The Firebird was the first full-length score Stravinsky wrote for Sergei Diaghilevs Ballets Russes. Based on an old Russian folk tale, it tells the story of a young prince who battles an evil demon-king with the help of the mysterious and magical Firebird. Following the success of The Firebird Stravinsky began work on his second ballet. Petrushka once again occupies a typically Russian setting, a fair in St Petersburgs Admiralty Square bustling with revellers and popular Russian melodies. In the centre of the scene, three puppets brought to life dance and squabble as the mesmerized audience looks on.