Audition Stravinsky Petrushka – Ancerl: Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Recorded in the Rudolphinium, Prague by Supraphon

As would typical of the time (1962) Supraphon recordings were somewhat patchy but at their best amazing and especially under this talismanic conductor.  Some of the recordings were in terrifying sound but here the problem is what one doesn't hear: absent instruments, especially piano in the late passages.

Having said that, this is a very exciting reading full of confident playing and insightful conducting of the version of 1947. While some will dwell on the strings and the winds, I'm drawn to the scary in audible deep brass and the characterful toned horns.

Ancerl handles the drama well with subtle changes of pace, milking the dulcet, flexible tones of the CPO, making gorgeous sound a priority. But it is not colourful as many of other recordings from the 1960s. BUT in comparison with Russian Orchestras, this is better.  I might reflect that in spite of it's Russian roots and Stravinsky's scoring which is French more than Russian, the Czechs have a glorious in bridging the two. 

Overall interesting historically and welcome to hear the Czech orchestra at it's height.

Performance 7 out of 10

Recording 6 out of 10

Interpretation 8 out of 10