Audition: Stravinsky - Petrushka - Rosbaud

 

Recorded July 1962: Concertgebouw Orchestra/Hans Rosbaud

This is an amazing realisation in a field of many high quality recordings.

There are three factors behind that. Firstly, Rosebaud the expert advocate for 20th century classical music makes the complexities of this work disappear. Second the orchestra was extremely familiar with the work and other difficult works of this kind and could more than compete with other orchestras of the time. Finally, there’s the excellence of the Philips engineering in a venue they know very well.

The result is breathtaking particularly in the dances for full orchestra. Rosebud ensures there’s great transparency across the Orchestra in all departments. Rosebud’s ear for the complex rhythms and textures is a particularly remarkable. His speeds are fast when he can but never at the cost of articulation or transparency. What we lose is something of the personalities of the characters.

There is no dwelling on the story and the poor puppets but there is plenty of realisation of the musics structure and inner relationships, underlined by the glories of all the instrumental groups. Glorious and lithe strings, balance an athletic woodwind section, good to hear such incisive precaution (never overblown) and Brass section that brings the horns to the front of the picture and the trumpets more lyrical and mysterious at the end of the ballet but glorious throughout. The tuba is telling more discreet than most brining some dignity to the poor bear.

After so many great performances I’ve heard Rosbaud and Phillips set an extraordinary standard.

Performance 10 out of 10 

Recording 10 out of 10 

Interpretation 10 out of 10.