Review: Warner's Stravinsky Box and the Taupe Scarf of Torpitude

Here we have 23 discs of Stravinsky that could have been so much more intelligently assembled--hence the appropriateness of awarding this set the Taupe Scarf of Torpitude. Now I know..."torpitude" is archaic, and dangerously similar to "turpitude," but that's the point. There are many first-class things in this set, but also quite a bit that strikes me as lazy. Does this laziness (torpitude) rise to the point of depraved indifference (turpitude)? Well, you be the judge.

[@williamfredscott6904]

Mr Iwaki was principal conductor of the Melbourne Symphony for over 20 years. For a short while in the early 80s he was Principal Guest Conductor of the Atlanta Symphony. He was much loved here by the orchestra players and the public.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I knew someone would chime in with the details. I wouldn't have had a problem if the print weren't so damn small!

[@jdistler2]

Thank you for your kind words about my review, and for your wonderful insights about this box.

[@fred6904]

Thank you Mr Hurwitz for another great talk. You are really in your element when reviewing boxes. Please do more. Best wishes Fred.

[@garthhudson]

Glad you love "Oedipus Rex" as much as I do. Still have yet to hear a recording that approaches Ozawa's recording. A shattering experience.

[@michaelmurray8742]

I’m looking forward to the Chailly box next month which I’m sure you will review in due cour (hopefully sans scarf).

[@TimSwensen]

They should have included the Kent Nagano LSO recording of Firebird and a good Symphonies of Wind Instruments

[@vincentd.1424]

Another scarf! How many scarfs are there!?

[@artistinbeziers7916]

You think that's bad - wait till the wide brimmed hats come out!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

And the Rings of Ruination.

[@vincentd.1424]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Oh no...

[@SunriseFireberry]

Scenario. Dave becomes curator for all boxes for all classical music labels, and is able to include any classical cd ever made. The boxes come out at a rate of 100cd per box until the creme de la creme quality stuff is exhausted. Then only smaller supplemental boxes appear on the market, containing the best quality new stuff as it comes out. All boxes are always easily available AND they never disappear. All boxes are inexpensive and designed for as much mass appeal as possible.

[@alanmcginn4796]

I love that idea. Almost like his 'ideal lists' but in boxes available to the world...love it

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

And have good sleevenotes you can read without a jeweller's eyepiece.

[@mistywalters]

For Song of the Nightingale, Boulez's Erato recording is better than either of his Sony or DG one; both are rather faceless and mechanical in comparison. Still, Reiner rules for atmosphere and color.

[@murraylow4523]

Thanks Dave, that seems a fair assessment. I’d just repeat the observation that, Agon aside, none of the later Stravinsky seems to be there. Maybe a sad reflection on Warner’s views of the listening development of the public (maybe because unlike DG they decided not to do any licensing from other labels). Whatever the reason, it gives a truncated picture of his work as a whole.

[@murraylow4523]

@@ejb7969 Well yes, and they are in the DG box. But I don't think Warner has recordings of most of this. Anyhow they decided not to include one way or another.

[@OuterGalaxyLounge]

That's a topping taupe scarf of torpitude. A tip-top taupe scarf of torpitude. You can trip the light fantastic in that tip-top topping taupe scarf.

[@ricardoleon6142]

First time on your channel. Thanks for your videos. Informative and useful. Accurate even if many people don't like that word in art issues. Very difficult to get the better choice between the DG box or this Warner box. Excuse my English. Saludos desde México.

[@johnwright7749]

Speaking of anniversaries, I hope the record industry does some justice to Malcolm Arnold whose birth centenary is later this year. He could clearly use more exposure!

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Don't count on it. But then, you never know...

[@DavidJohnson-of3vh]

I'll probably skip out on this box. I got to hear Soulima Stravinsky in recital palying some Liszt, among other things. One of his students was my class piano teacher. He had me and another trumpeter in a 'duo' class. He often chuckled at our most excellent 'talent' on piano. He was so good and we were so bad! I hope you soon break out the Beige Scarf of Banality.

[@murraylow4523]

Oh and I listened to the Orpheus people playing the Concerto in D yesterday and while it’s not going to be one of my favourite IS pieces, they do it in such a way that it sounds lively, even witty, and well worth hearing... But then my ears are not yours.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

I agree with you--they do play it wonderfully well.

[@murraylow4523]

@@DavesClassicalGuide My off-the-top-of the head personal recommendation for the worst substantial Stravinsky work is probably "Movements for Piano and Orchestra". I like Stravinsky's late work and wish it wasn't so neglected on disc, but this is really where the almost pastiche-Webern went too far. Still, I seem to have various recordings so I'll try again and listen harder.....

[@murraylow4523]

And... I did become a Classicstoday insider finally. After all the work you have done to keep me and others cheerful during this lockdown, its the very least I could do. Very many thanks.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

@@murraylow4523 I'm not sure I'd call it "substantial." It's more like S saying, "See, I can do it too!"

[@murraylow4523]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Haha yes absolutely!

[@burtsbooks3495]

Dave which set would you recommend for a new music collector?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

See reviews on ClassicsToday.com!

[@robertslagle7176]

Quick question which I hope you have time to answer. Does anybody own the Andante Stravinsky stuff? There were three or four multiple disc sets of different things, remastered quite well. Is there any company that can put them out? Thank you.

[@nealkurz6503]

I'd certainly buy an Andre Vandernoot collection! There are a handful of Japanese cd reissues of a few EMI items (and of course a good number of his concerto collaborations have been issued internationally). Also a handful of Command Classics titles, including a very good Mussorgsky-Ravel Pictures. I'm also voting for a complete Paul Kletzki from Warner. I guess the Schumann symphony set that just came out is testing the waters? A number of his 78 rpms have never been reissued.

[@joseluisherreralepron9987]

My first recording of "Pictures" was Vandernoot's Command version...it got me into collecting LP's. I discovered later on (after I'd gotten a decent turntable; I was in college at the time and found a second-hand unit) that my turntable was running fast and I had to acknowledge that part of the excitement was that everything was slightly fast and sharp. Still, I'd love to hear it again on a good transfer.

[@folanpaul]

David, how many scarves have you got in your wardrobe? I just want to know how many more colours we are going to see

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's a surprise.

[@damiangruszczynski7451]

@@DavesClassicalGuide where can I buy it? 🙂

[@colinwrubleski7627]

Is the Samuel Dushkin transcription (for violin and piano) of the Berceuse from The Firebird among those included in the box-?

[@murraylow4523]

Hi thats easy to answer - it is

[@colinwrubleski7627]

@@murraylow4523 : Groovious maximus...

[@josecarmona9168]

I hope I don't deserve the yellow scarf of awkward question, but since you mentioned the Warner Debussy box, I'm quite interested in it and I don't think you have reviewed it on your channel. So the question is: do you think it is recommended? Are the performances good enough to get the whole box up?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Sorry, can't comment here. That's another video, perhaps. That box predated my KZbin presence.

[@josecarmona9168]

@@DavesClassicalGuide , waiting for the video, sure it will be as interesting and funny as all of yours. 🙂

[@ftumschk]

... if the box came with a free scarf I might consider buying it ;)

[@MarauderOSU]

What do you think of the Complete Columbia Album Collection of Stravinsky?

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

It's historically important and often interesting.

[@MarauderOSU]

@@DavesClassicalGuide Thanks, Dave. I was just trying to decide what to get for my first REALLY BIG box set. :)

[@dmntuba]

It will always be EMI to me👍

[@bradwilkins9347]

My compulsive collecting habit will wait for the Muti box to get the highly regarded Muti recordings.

[@alanmcginn4796]

Brad. The Muti Box is available for presale on line. I ordered mine

[@bradwilkins9347]

@@alanmcginn4796 Thanks. I pre-ordered a few weeks ago.

[@paulbrower3297]

Well, you could repackage the offering as a 150th-anniversary box... in 2031!

[@finosuilleabhain7781]

Singing stuff in the language for which it was written is not about understanding but about sound (i.e. music). Reginal Goodall et al. notwithstanding, Wagner in English is a poor substitute for Wagner in German.

[@DavesClassicalGuide]

Obviously, but my point is that good singing iin whatever language is better than lousy singing in the native language.

[@barryguerrero7652]

Good grief, the Jansons is about THE most boring "Rite of Spring" I've ever heard. Unbelievable.