Since it will inevitably be used over the next few days for commercials, Halloween specials, etc., I was curious as to your preferences. I’ve heard many variations over the years and I usually go back to Stokowski’s version with the LSO (1966) even if it’s Rimsky-Korsakov’s rework. Perhaps it’s because that was the first version I heard, but it seems to work best for my listening pleasure. Versions by David Lloyd-Jones ("St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain", 1971) and others such as Bernstein seem to slow down too much in mid-stream or mellow out too soon for me.
Get Mussorgsky's original version (the common one is almost a completely different piece by Rimsky Korsakov based on the same themes...the original much more rough and powerful IMO; I think it will surprise you) performed by the L.A. Phil and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen in Walt Disney Concert Hall. This less refined version is complemented by Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, both superbly well performed.
My fondest memory of this piece is as the background/score of a children's story record set about Batman and Robin from the mid-80s (prior to the Burton movie at any rate). The version that has the most plays on my iTunes is the Erich Kunzel rerecording, but that's probably more to do with the "spooky" album it's attached to. I'm typically happy with any recording as long as it's not particularly hissy.
For me, the best reading of the Rimsky-Korsakov version is by the USSR Symphony conducted by Yevgeny Svetlanov. I have it on LP, but it's still available on a Melodiya CD import.
By chance, I found a YouTube video of Mr. Svetlanov conducting the score. The tempo is faster and more energetic than other versions I've heard and sounds sensational.
Get Mussorgsky's original version (the common one is almost a completely different piece by Rimsky Korsakov based on the same themes...the original much more rough and powerful IMO; I think it will surprise you) performed by the L.A. Phil and conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen in Walt Disney Concert Hall. This less refined version is complemented by Stravinsky's Rite of Spring, both superbly well performed.
Yavar
Yavar, thanks for the recommendation. I’m both intrigued and curious about Salonen’s version. Is it like these?
I'm definitely interested in his "Rite of Spring". Thanks!
I have four recordings of the Rimsky-Korsakov orchestration:
- Euardo Mata/Dallas SO (1981) which I've owned for 25+ years and so is my base recording - Fritz Reiner/Chicago SO (1959) - Klaus Tennstedt/London PO (1990) - Valery Gergiev/Wiener Philharmoniker (2000)
Each of these other three I've played only once (maybe twice re: Tennstedt) so can't really say if I prefer any one of them to the Mata recording. I used to enjoy the Leopold Stokowski recording attached to Fantasia but my hi-fi is far better than than my AV and that was VHS!
Subject to any edits or repeats the timings of the these four recordings show that Reiner takes the piece at a brisk pace ... some 1'37" faster than the (slowest) Tennstedt ...
The next CD I have to rip from the box-set Claudio Abbado - the Complete RCA and Sony Album Collection is St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain which is a choral recording (bass-baritone & chorus) ... but I've yet to hear this so can't comment.
Overall, yes I like the piece but Modest Mussorgsky is far from being a favourite composer (though I'm getting to like his Pictures at an Exhibition more with every play).
I have four recordings of the Rimsky-Korsakov orchestration:
- Euardo Mata/Dallas SO (1981) which I've owned for 25+ years and so is my base recording - Fritz Reiner/Chicago SO (1959) - Klaus Tennstedt/London PO (1990) - Valery Gergiev/Wiener Philharmoniker (2000)
Each of these other three I've played only once (maybe twice re: Tennstedt) so can't really say if I prefer any one of them to the Mata recording. I used to enjoy the Leopold Stokowski recording attached to Fantasia but my hi-fi is far better than than my AV and that was VHS!
Subject to any edits or repeats the timings of the these four recordings show that Reiner takes the piece at a brisk pace ... some 1'37" faster than the (slowest) Tennstedt ...
The next CD I have to rip from the box-set Claudio Abbado - the Complete RCA and Sony Album Collection is St. John's Night on the Bare Mountain which is a choral recording (bass-baritone & chorus) ... but I've yet to hear this so can't comment.
Overall, yes I like the piece but Modest Mussorgsky is far from being a favourite composer (though I'm getting to like his Pictures at an Exhibition more with every play).
Mitch
It has little to do with the original question, but I was working quality control for Technicolor which manufactured the first VHS release of Fantasia. Disney was understandably fussy about the audio on those tapes. When the rock moves to the left the music should be coming from the left channel, etc....I downed more recorders for having audio channels switched than any other title I can recall.
Here's Mussorgsky's original version in its first commercial performance:
Sadly the Salonen recording is not to be found on YouTube, but it is IMO the best version and absolutely worth buying (the rest of the CD is also superb, and as a hybrid SACD recorded in WDCH it sounds amazing!)
It has little to do with the original question, but I was working quality control for Technicolor which manufactured the first VHS release of Fantasia. Disney was understandably fussy about the audio on those tapes. When the rock moves to the left the music should be coming from the left channel, etc....I downed more recorders for having audio channels switched than any other title I can recall.
I've never settled for cheap players and had a decent Mitsubishi followed by a very expensive (and not particularly good) top-of-the-range Phillips VHS player (superseded by two JVC S-VHS players) ... (NICAM) stereo sound was not an issue *
I regret, however, that I never noticed the music matched the images ... hell, I can't even remember the rock moving!
* I did have a problem with the sound on the VHS release of GoldenEye but that's another story.
Back on the mountain ... I've just played the Reiner/CSO recording ... was that fast! No way near as good as the Mata/DSO recording.
Get Mussorgsky's original version (the common one is almost a completely different piece by Rimsky Korsakov based on the same themes...the original much more rough and powerful IMO.
Funny you should ask. I can't say I've got a "favorite" -- I've never heard a bad performance/recording of this piece -- but earlier tonight I heard Mussorgsky's fantastic CHORAL version of MOUNTAIN, originally written for one of his operas, and I immediately ordered a copy of the CD, "Heaven and Hell -- Macal Plays Mussorgsky" (on Delos, I believe). The rest of the album should be equally as good, especially as it also includes the version orchestrated by Ravel.
Rimsky deleted the vocal parts, changed harmonies, changed orchestration, changed the structure of the piece (including deleting sections--look how much shorter it is)...it was a pretty thorough overhaul, much more drastic than say Mahler's modest revisions of Schumann's symphonies which many purists reject. I prefer the composers' original. Strange how many people are happier with the Rimsky. Sure it's still exciting but he made it too refined IMO.
