London Symphony Orchestra/Gergiev

Stravinsky The Firebird etc

LSO Live

NO, you are not seeing double; and yes, if you follow the classical album reviews, you will know that Valery Gergiev appeared here with his latest recording just weeks ago. So why Gergiev again? Easy: this recording, featuring Gergiev at the end of his tenure with the LSO, was released on exactly the same day as the last one, which had Gergiev and his Maryiinsky Orchestra in an all-Tchaikovsky programme. Somebody had to wait in line, and Gergiev was the sole candidate. This one’s a cracker, a double-CD, recorded live in New Jersey by New York’s classical radio station, with the LSO on tour and Gergiev flying in repertoire he has made his own. His choice of the Suite from Bartok’s Miraculous Mandarin will please those who feel the full Monty ballet is a Monty too many; and the foot-stompin’ performance of the finale, at exactly the right speed, will blow your head off. Stravinsky’s complete Firebird is ravishing, and the great hymn at the end has the New Jersey audience roaring. Yefim Bronfman’s playing of Bartok’s late Third Piano Concerto is ultra-lyrical; and there’s a Prokofiev encore to bring the house down.

Michael Tumelty