The London Philharmonic Orchestra (LPO) is to release a 3-volume live series of Stravinsky’s music on its own LPO Label. It is mainly recorded during then Principal Conductor (now Conductor Emeritus) Vladimir Jurowski’s 2018 ‘Changing Faces’ festival, which surveyed the composer’s works. The works will be grouped chronologically, matching the arc of the year-long festival.
The first volume launches on Friday 15 July with two cornerstone works on double-CD: The Rite of Spring and The Firebird (original 1910 ballet score). These two ballet works are programmed with Stravinsky’s Symphony in E flat, The Faun and the Shepherdess, Scherzo fantastique and Funeral Song. The Rite of Spring recording comes from a Royal Festival Hall concert in 2008.
Jurowski is a renowned Stravinsky advocate, and has championed the composer’s music throughout his 20-year association with the Orchestra; The Firebird featured in his first contracted concert with the LPO, in March 2002 and in his final concert as Principal Conductor, in August 2021, he included Stravinsky’s Jeu de cartes.
Three singles will be released in the lead-up to the first album:
Single 1, Friday 24 June 2022 The Rite of Spring, Part One – Adoration of the Earth, Introduction
Single 2, Friday 1 July 2022 The Rite of Spring, Part One – Adoration of the Earth, The Augurs of Spring – Dances of the Young Girls
Single 3, Friday 8 July 2022 The Firebird, Tableau 2 – Disappearance of Kashchei’s Palace and Magic Spells – The Petrified Warriors Return to Life
In 2005 the LPO established its own record label with the aim of preserving the Orchestra’s performance history. Releases are mainly taken from live concerts new and old, with music from the core repertoire as well as premieres by living composers. The catalogue also offers a range of recent performances with some of its other former Principal Conductors: Beecham, Boult, Haitink, Solti, Tennstedt and Masur.