Igor Stravinsky--The Composer in the Recording Studio - (Discographies: Association for Recorded Sound Collections Di) Annotated by Philip Stuart

About the Book

Stuart offers the most thorough discography of the works and recordings of Igor Stravinsky to date as well as a chronicle of the composer's recording career. As the first discography to list all of Stravinsky's recorded compositions, including concert and broadcast performances, both pre- and post-World War II, as well as all LP issues, this volume displays the wide range of Stravinsky's talent. The significance of Robert Craft's contribution to the continued exposure of Stravinsky's works after 1948 is well documented, as are the piano performances recorded by Stravinsky's son.

A lengthy introductory essay traces Stravinsky's recording history from his early use of the pianola through the advent of more sophisticated musical technology which enabled the composer to become the composer-performer. The discography itself lists 191 studio performances, catalogs recorded issues, and details unpublished recordings. The chronological index of Stravinsky's compositions which follows is cross-referenced to the recordings already cited, thereby showing each recording relative to the date of the work's composition. This extensive listing of recordings, combined with the narrative account of Stravinsky's recording history provides the collector with a valuable updated guide to almost all of the composer's works.

Book Synopsis

Stuart offers the most thorough discography of the works and recordings of Igor Stravinsky to date as well as a chronicle of the composer's recording career. As the first discography to list all of Stravinsky's recorded compositions, including concert and broadcast performances, both pre- and post-World War II, as well as all LP issues, this volume displays the wide range of Stravinsky's talent. The significance of Robert Craft's contribution to the continued exposure of Stravinsky's works after 1948 is well documented, as are the piano performances recorded by Stravinsky's son.

A lengthy introductory essay traces Stravinsky's recording history from his early use of the pianola through the advent of more sophisticated musical technology which enabled the composer to become the composer-performer. The discography itself lists 191 studio performances, catalogs recorded issues, and details unpublished recordings. The chronological index of Stravinsky's compositions which follows is cross-referenced to the recordings already cited, thereby showing each recording relative to the date of the work's composition. This extensive listing of recordings, combined with the narrative account of Stravinsky's recording history provides the collector with a valuable updated guide to almost all of the composer's works.

Review Quotes

?This annotated discography of Stravinsky's recordings (and recording history) is the culmination of the work of previous compilers including David Hamilton, whose 1968 discography was reprinted in Benjamin Boretz's compilation Perspectives on Schoenberg and Stravinsky (rev. ed., 1972; 1st ed., CH, Jun'69); Ulf Scharlau (Igor Strawinsky, 1882-1971: Phonographie, Frankfurt am Main, 1972); Eric Walter White (Stravinsky: The Composer and His Works, 1979); and others. Stuart attempts to list all of Stravinsky's studio performances (except those given primarily for the camera) together with recordings of concerts and broadcasts that have been published on disc or preserved in archive collections. In addition to the discography listing, Stuart includes five brief, fascinating essays that provide a history of Stravinsky's recording: "Uncertain Beginnings 1923-27," "The Old World 1928-38," "The New World 1940-50," "Consolidation 1951-57," and "One More Time 1957-67." The discography is chronologically arranged and includes all of the known studio recordings (153 entries), all of Robert Craft's studio recordings of music by Stravinsky (29 entries), and some assorted recordings without a conductor (9 entries), making a total of 191. (Also included are three examples of Stravinsky's discussions concerning recording.) Appendixes include a list of the CBS LPs, Soulima Stravinsky's recordings, the live recordings, and the missing works. Recommended for extensive music collections and for small libraries wishing a separate, single-volume discography on the recorded works of Stravinsky.?-Choice

"This annotated discography of Stravinsky's recordings (and recording history) is the culmination of the work of previous compilers including David Hamilton, whose 1968 discography was reprinted in Benjamin Boretz's compilation Perspectives on Schoenberg and Stravinsky (rev. ed., 1972; 1st ed., CH, Jun'69); Ulf Scharlau (Igor Strawinsky, 1882-1971: Phonographie, Frankfurt am Main, 1972); Eric Walter White (Stravinsky: The Composer and His Works, 1979); and others. Stuart attempts to list all of Stravinsky's studio performances (except those given primarily for the camera) together with recordings of concerts and broadcasts that have been published on disc or preserved in archive collections. In addition to the discography listing, Stuart includes five brief, fascinating essays that provide a history of Stravinsky's recording: "Uncertain Beginnings 1923-27," "The Old World 1928-38," "The New World 1940-50," "Consolidation 1951-57," and "One More Time 1957-67." The discography is chronologically arranged and includes all of the known studio recordings (153 entries), all of Robert Craft's studio recordings of music by Stravinsky (29 entries), and some assorted recordings without a conductor (9 entries), making a total of 191. (Also included are three examples of Stravinsky's discussions concerning recording.) Appendixes include a list of the CBS LPs, Soulima Stravinsky's recordings, the live recordings, and the missing works. Recommended for extensive music collections and for small libraries wishing a separate, single-volume discography on the recorded works of Stravinsky."-Choice

About the Author

PHILIP STUART earned his M.A. in History from Oxford University's Worcester College in 1970 and specializes in the production of discographies.