Stravinsky Le Sacre du Printemps (The Rite of Spring)

With Le Sacre du Printemps Gatti takes a fairly traditional approach to tempi in the score, but that does not imply complacency – he is rhythmically very alert.

The famous opening bassoon solo, along with its clarinet and horn counterpoint, is up to the high standards from these sections heard all through the evening. The ‘Dance of the Adolescents’ is fast and balletic and the players shape its solo moments convincingly.

The solo horn at Fig. 25 is really excellent, observing the mezzopiano and subsequent piano markings. Le Sacre should often sing as well as dance, as it does here. Gatti does not, as say Teodor Currentzis did in his 2015 album, overdo the primeval blood sport aspects of the more violent passages such as the ‘Dance of the Earth’ that closes the first part. The eerie Largo introduction to Part Two, the most Debussian passage in the score, is poetically atmospheric, and indeed this second part is very compelling right up to the final ‘Sacrificial Dance’.

Above all Gatti is a sure guide through these demanding works – he uses no score for any of them – and the orchestra plays immaculately throughout. Many orchestral concert albums are at least an enjoyable souvenir of a live occasion. But this album has performances good enough to take it into another league.

… such beauty and unmatched quality. A truly memorable performance.

Grand and enchanting.