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Mercury 432 012, Mercury Living Presence Boxed Set CD12 van55
Antal Doráti, London Symphony Orchestra
Stravinsky: The Firebird (Complete Ballet); Fireworks; Song of the Nightingale

Antal Dorati was a veteran ballet conductor and a personal friend of Stravinsky. His recording of The Firebird was a legend in its own time, and its reappearance on CD, sounding better than ever, immediately reestablished its supremacy. All of Stravinsky's complete ballets--as opposed to the suites-- have "dead spots," moments when the music sort of stops and lurches about, illustrating something happening onstage. That's why the composer made the suites in the first place. However, many of his most fascinating orchestral ideas occur precisely in these "dead spots," which is why many conductors and audiences prefer the works complete. Trust Dorati: he's the most reliable guide to this music, and his orchestra gives him a virtuoso response. --David Hurwitz