Lorin Maazel, Radio-Symphonie-Orchester Berlin - Stravinsky: The Firebird Suite / Falla: El Amor Brujo, El Sombrero De Tres Picos (1995) Hi-Res

This release in the DG Originals series combines the music from three ballets, two of Falla's and Stravinsky's "Firebird Suite." Quite frankly, there isn't much similar about the music other than the conductor/orchestra in these particular performances (Maazel/Berlin RSO), and the fact that one of the Falla's ballets and "Firebird" were both written in 1919. Despite this the music is all wonderful. Jazz fans will recognize one of the excerpts from "El Amor Brujo" as "Will O' The Wisp," borrowed for the Miles Davis/Gil Evans collaboration "Sketches of Spain." Of course, Miles' version comes without the vocal talents of the lovely mezzosoprano Grace Bumbry. Since I was mostly familiar to this point with Falla transcripitons for guitar, these orchestral works are quite inspiring. The "Firebird" was recorded by conductor Maazel when he was only 27, and it apparently catapulted him to stardom. However, for my money I find Leonard Bernstein's and Ernset Ansermet's Firebirds to be more compelling. Bernstein in particular slows the tempo down to draw out certain parts of the finale, while Maazel keeps the pace up and embellisehes things with some bells (literally) and whistles that are unnecessary. If you are looking for this CD to be your definitive "Firebird Suite" recording, you've come to the wrong place in my opinion. If you want some terrific Falla recordings with "Firebird" thrown in as a bonus, get this while you can.