With this release from the
London Philharmonic Orchestra and former principal conductor and now conductor emeritus
Vladimir Jurowski, we reach the
third and concluding volume of their "
Jurowski conducts
Stravinsky" survey. The previous volumes were released in
2022 and
2023, and the series celebrates the orchestra's year-long
Stravinsky festival "Changing Faces" in 2018, which chronologically followed the composer's career alongside works by composers who influenced
Stravinsky and those who, in turn, were influenced by him. All the works here except the opening ballet,
Pulcinella, were recorded live during that festival;
Pulcinella was recorded in December 2020 with COVID-era spacing restrictions and streamed to
London Philharmonic audiences several days later. The ensemble's playing is likely hampered a bit by these restrictions as, while the performance is well done overall, there are times when the orchestra is not quite as sharp and together as audiences have grown accustomed to from this powerhouse. The vocal soloists, mezzo-soprano
Angharad Lyddon (who also appeared on the
first volume of the series), tenor
Sam Furness, and bass
Matthew Rose, deliver standout performances. The orchestra is in its full power in the
Symphony in C. This volume includes several rarely recorded works, notably the
Variations: Aldous Huxley in Memoriam,
Stravinsky's final completed work for orchestra. There is something here for
Stravinsky fans from the entire spectrum, from the neo-Baroque ballet
Pulcinella to the wholly serial
Threni: id est Lamentationes Jerimiae Prophetae. The latter also features vocal soloists and the
London Philharmonic Choir; try the "Sensus spei" segment of the "De elegia tertia" section to hear the considerable dynamic and textural effect of these combined forces. A powerful tribute to
Stravinsky and
Jurowski's successful tenure leading the
London Philharmonic Orchestra. ~ Keith Finke
