Double Double.

Last time around, Tom Lyle and Ye Grumpy Olde Editor did something unusual, comparing two recordings of popular rather than classical music. Although it was fun to wander down a side road, I must confess that it certainly feels good to be back listening to orchestral music once again for this issue.

For our return to classical music, Tom and I have decided to compare two recordings of two works by Stravinsky, the 1947 edition of Petrouschka and the 1919 edition of the Firebird Suite. The recordings that we have chosen to audition are both on the Telarc label, because we thought it would be fascinating to compare what has always been regarded as an excellently recorded Telarc CD from a decade or so ago, David Zinman leading the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (CD-80270, released in 1991), with the recent Telarc release featuring Paavo Jarvi conducting the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra (CD-80587).

As always, TL and I have done our listening and writing completely independently. Because this is an odd-numbered issue, I will lead off with my remarks and allow Tom to have the last word.

KWN: Long-time readers will know that I have never been a big fan of Stravinsky; however, both these ballet scores are fun listening, particularly the first half or so of Petrouschka. To my mind, these works, especially Firebird, are true sonic spectacles, and I find that I am interested in the overall sound produced by any recording of them than I am in trying to compare fine points of performance. These are atmospheric pieces of music, and much of the atmosphere is created by the overall sound quality.

That said, I must say that both these recordings sound splendid. Both are rich and full-bodied, with warmth, power, and robust dynamics--certainly the qualities that Stravinsky himself would wish for in a recording (well, maybe not warmth ...)

In comparing them, I found myself impressed by both. To choose between them really is one of those win-win situations championed by Stephen Covey. You really can't go wrong with either one of these disks.

But if I stopped there, Tom would never let me hear the end of it. I guess I have to choose between them--but hey, what have I got to lose?

OK, here goes: By a slight margin, I would choose the newer recording led by Jarvi. The main reason for my choices is that I like the sound of this recording a bit better. It is not quite as dark-sounding as the Zinman (but is still on the warm side overall), and seems a bit more dynamic, particularly in the deep bass. It also seems just a bit more open and natural.

In terms of performance, when I compared the two recordings back and forth, I liked the way that Zinman took things just a bit faster in both ballets, but when I listened to just one or the other, I never found anything in either performance to be dismayed over.

As I said at the outset, these pieces for me are about sound and atmosphere, and both had it in spades. Given that the performances are effectively equal, but the sound is slightly preferable in the new Jarvi recording, the newer Telarc recording is my pick.

TL: An easy way out of this Double Double would be to recommend Stravinsky's own account of Petrouschka and forget about any other versions. Although I listen to other versions more often, it is very enjoyable (and instructive), and I don't think that anyone who appreciates this piece of music should be without it.

That said, I think that the David Zinman's version is as good as a recorded account of this and the Firebird Suite as on is going to hear. I'm not going to pretend that the Baltimore SO is the greatest orchestra in the world, yet Zinman brings out the best in them. Telarc's early 1990s recording is also good, and it's up front perspective suits my taste just fine. Some of the instruments sound as if they're being played in my listening room, and adds power to this outstanding version of Petrouschka. The rest of the orchestra sounds as if recorded from the perspective of the podium.

However, the recording quality of the newer Jarvi disc is the better of the two, and possibly the best "red book" orchestral CD I've ever heard. The Zinman disc sounds grainy and steely in comparison. Still, judged on its own this older CD is not bad, and very easy to get used to, especially since his version is so much better.

I have numerous examples in my listening notes why the Zinman is superior to the Jarvi, but I keep repeating myself. In nearly every passage Zinman has a greater command of the piece, and Jarvi's versions ends up sounding tepid. So weak is his version on the entire CD, that the recording quality cannot save it. For example, on the Zinman disc at the beginning of track 4, The Shrove-tide Fair (Evening), there is a greater urgency to the playing that is conveyed even with the rather spare instrumentation. The orchestra is "digging in" to the piece as if Zinman has a physical connection to the players.

I have to be honest--what you are reading is not from my first draft. I struggled with this Double Double. I started out beating around the bush, questioning whether deviations from Stravinsky's accounts should be considered unauthentic. Then I went on about whether there should be a moratorium on CD releases with pieces such as these, arguing that the record-buying public, not to mention the record companies, would better off without the umpteenth version being released. Then I started questioning how much the sound quality should be in determining which version should be recommended over the other. In retrospect, all these points can be considered. Objectively, neither of the two CDs considered here stray that far from Stravinsky's "original," so neither can be disqualified on that factor. I don't often complain about a new version of a piece that already has been recorded numerous times. But given that I think the Jarvi CD is a lukewarm account, I indeed think we could do without this CD added to the plethora of versions already available. And of course, sound quality should not be the only consideration. If it were, the Jarvi would be my first choice among all the versions currently available. But in this case, Zinman's authority makes it the better of the two CDs, no question about it.