Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring (piano four hands)
Stravinsky's "The Rite of Spring" was first composed in 1913 for piano four hands, eight years before the orchestral score as published. Ronald Farren-Price and Rosslyn Farren-Price give an intense, highly rhythmic performance of the "Rite" — in stark contrast to the second work on this disc, Ravel's melodic "Mother Goose Suite" which was also originally for piano four hands.
Press quotes
“The two compositions are starkly contrasted – The Rite's fiery staccato against the melodic flow of Mother Goose ... this is one of the most important classical recordings issued in Australia for many years.”
— Bob Crimeen, The Sun
“Stravinsky always worked at the piano, and it is fascinating to hear the score in its original form: some of the instrumental colour may be lost, but none of the music's primitive rhythmic effect.”
— W L Hoffmann, The Canberra Times
“... it is a first-rate record. The playing of both works is clean, vital, full of character and splendidly disciplined.”
— John Sinclair, The Herald
“Without doubt, it is an important contribution to the catalog of Australian recorded classics. ... Their performance of 'The Rite' is intense and builds anticipated climaxes strongly.”
— Forester, The Age
Artists
Ronald Farren-Price
Ronald Farren-Price "... a sensitive artist and a virtuoso of top rank ... he demonstrated a perfect balance between the sound and the expression of the music ... definitely a pianist of great distinction."
Rosslyn Farren-Price
Rosslyn Farren-Price graduated from the Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music in 1964. She studied piano with Ronald Farren-Price. As well as teaching she has broadcast a number of times for the ABC radio and television, appeared with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, and has lectured for the Council of Adult Education. She now lives in London.
Audio previews
Track Listing
- Introduction
- Dances of the Young Girls
- Ritual of Abduction
- Spring Rounds
- Ritual of the Rival Tribes
- Procession of the Sage
- The Sage
- Dance of the Earth
- The Sacrifice: Introduction
- Mystic Circles of the Young Girls
- Glorification of the Chosen One
- Evocation of the Ancestors
- Ritual Action of the Ancestors
- Sacrificial Dance (The Chosen One)
- Pavane of the Sleeping Beauty
- Tom Thumb
- Little Ugly, Empress of the Pagodas
- Beauty and the Beast
- The Fairy Garden
The Rite of Spring Igor Stravinsky
Mother Goose Suite Maurice Ravel
Performers
Composers
Maurice Ravel
Many consider Ravel as a major composer for the piano as well as a genius of orchestration. But it is always a surprise to discover how few works make up his total output for the instrument. All his compositions for piano can be performed in under two and one half hours.
Where to listen
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring (piano four hands) is available for streaming through Spotify and Apple Music. It can also be purchased through the iTunes Music Store.
Stravinsky: The Rite of Spring (piano four hands) is available as a CD. It can be purchased online through Buywell Music or the Australian Music Centre which both offer online ordering.
Product details
- Catalogue number
- MD 3017
- List price
- $20.00 AUD
- Release date
- 15 Oct 1977
- Musical work
copyright - © 1977 Move Records
- Sound recording
copyright - ℗ 1977 Move Records
- Category
- Classical
- Barcode
- EAN 9314574301724
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