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From: jak@adelie.UUCP (Jeff Kresch)
Newsgroups: net.music.classical
Subject: Re: Stravinsky's Firebird
Message-ID: <501@adelie.UUCP>
Date: Mon, 21-Oct-85 10:21:01 EDT
Article-I.D.: adelie.501
Posted: Mon Oct 21 10:21:01 1985
Date-Received: Wed, 23-Oct-85 07:27:08 EDT
References: <3041@sdcc3.UUCP>
Organization: Adelie Corporation, Newtonville MA
Lines: 31

> i am looking for the recording of Stravinsky's Firebird 
> Ballet(Suite ?).  the old worn out tape recording lasts
> 33:40 minutes.  this is longer than any other recording
> than i have found.  my intuition suggests that this is
> the ballet because Stokowski & The Berlin Philharmonic
> played the Suite and it lasted only 21:20 minutes.
> any advice would be gratefully accepted as long as it is
> graciously given.
> 
> [etc.]

Like all of Stravinsky's suites, the Firebird originally started its
life as a ballet.  The full ballet is longer than 33:40 minutes, it can
take up two full sides of an album.

What makes matters confusing is that there are many versions of the
Firebird:  the full ballet and *at least* one suite written in the early
1900's (1909?), as well as revised versions of both written in the
1940's.  There are those who claim that Stravinsky revised many of his
early works in order to obtain copyright protection.  He has denied
this.  Nevertheless, when it comes to the Firebird, or Petrushka for
that matter, I think the best versions are the original full-length
ballets.  Unfortunately, Stravinsky only conducted the later versions
himself.  

I am not familiar with any specific recordings of the full-length
original, but I am sure they are out there.  Look for Pierre Monteaux or
Ernest Ansermet conducting.

                                                They call me
                                                JAK