Audition: Stravinsky - Petrushka - Boston SO/Monteux (II)

Boston Symphony Orchestra (Recorded January 25, 26, 28, 1959. Symphony Hall, Boston, Massachusetts,) 

Pierre Monteux’s second recording of Stravinsky’s pantomime ballet is markedly better than his first.

The Boston Symphony Orchestra is on such fine form it allows the conductor many degrees of latitude, amplitude and co-ordination that one could be listening to a different work to his earlier recording. Strings and brass are particularly sumptuous as the score requires where as both were deficit in the earlier recording. Monteux makes sure we can hear the harps, bells, light percussion esp the bells and celesta.

The RCA sonics are state of the art at the time. I listened on a SACD and the recording is richer, more detailed and without distortion.  Listeners can also dimly hear cars on the road outside Symphony Hall.  I find this really charming and it is not to the detriment of the performance.

Monteux, 84 years old at the time of recording, seems to be at the peak of his power.  Unlike the earlier reading, he injects a good deal more detail into the characterisation of the drama. There is room for humour, power and horror - especially as he’s fleet in the denouement.

There are countless details in this recording that I missed in many others and an extraordinary amount of colour mostly fostered by this very fine orchestra with confident aplomb and Monteux’s knack of balancing the vast orchestra when it is in full voice. Having heard well over three dozen Petruskas I can say this is one of the most detailed of it and it is the most dramatic.

There are many qualities in other recordings, but we must remember this is Monteux’s work. He conducted the premiere in 1911 and championed it throughout his career.

There are still a couple more versions by Monteux have yet to hear, but this classic is still a classic by a long way - with pedigree.