Jennifer Frautschi - Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring - Violin Concerto (2014) [Hi-Res]

This new recording of the 1967 edition of The Rite of Spring, a major landmark of twentieth century music, is released in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Stravinsky. The Violin Concerto is widely considered to be Stravinsky's most perfect orchestral work. The Symphonies of Wind Instruments is now seen as a shorter companion opus for The Rite of Spring. It is, in any case, the last of his pre-neoclassic creations. Dedicated to Claude Debussy, Zvezdolikiy ("The Star-Faced One") for unaccompanied male chorus and orchestra is unique in Stravinsky's music for its uncontrasted slow tempo and the absence of a motoric rhythm. The second half is written in homage to the French composer and includes actual imitations of his melodic rhythmic and instrumental styles.

„Robert Craft balances scholarship and enthusiasm with perceptive musicianship, and his comprehensive annotations provide an invaluable listening aid. His long association with the composer over the best part of a quartet of a century lend his performances a special authority, and these modestly priced accounts of The rite and the Violin Concerto, together with their companions here, are self recommending.“ (Penguin Guide)

Jennifer Frautschi, violin (on tracks 1-4)
Twentieth Century Classics ensemble (on track 6)
Orchestra of St Luke’s and Gregg Smith Singers (on tracks 5)
Philharmonia Orchestra (on tracks 1-4, 7-20)
Robert Craft, conductor

Recorded at Abbey Road Studio 1, London, 29-30 April 2006 (1-4) & 3-5 January 2007 (7-20), at Theatre A, Performing Arts Center, SUNY Purchase, NY, 1992 (5), and at the Ajmerican Academy of Arts and Letters, NY, 2001 (6).
Produced by Philip Traugott (tracks 1-4, 7-20) and Gregory Squires (tracks 5,6)
2xHD Mastering by René Laflamme and Anne-Marie Sylvestre
2xHD Executive Producer: André Perry