Stravinsky: Petrushka - Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy 1954
Stravinsky: Petrushka Philadelphia Orchestra/Ormandy rec. 7.11. 1954 Ormandy opts for the concert version but that is of little consequence in reading of such drive and colour like Fricsay. The mono sound can’t accommodate all the instrumental groups, but unlike Fricsay their efforts are diminished in an echo-like acoustic soup. The absence of the third Tableau robs us of some of the smaller ensemble moments. But the glories of the tutti passages are worth noting especially against Ormandy is fantastically driven, biting pace. It’s very exciting. More over the Orchestra shows its metal in this work, just as it had for Stokowski before, and Muti after. There’s a feeling of familiarity and security in the playing which means these conductors can harvest the qualities of their corporate memory. In passing, especially with the last Tableau, Ormandy is weaker on character characterisation than others but the dances swing along and they’re playing is...
