Igor Stravinsky: The Recorded Legacy

Stravinsky dominates 20th century music as Beethoven did in the 19th. No other composer of our time was so completely at home in so many forms and styles; no other knew so well how to adapt sounds from the past--medieval, baroque, classical and even, near the end of his career, 12-tone, to suit his own purposes. A brilliantly original creator, he also plundered the music of other composers such as Gesualdo, Pergolesi, and Tchaikovsky--even "Happy Birthday to You" in his hilarious "Greeting Prelude." But he made this music his own and transformed it into something new and splendid. He has fared well (though he often complained) in the hands of other conductors, but his own interpretations often give unique insights. He was the first composer to have his work substantially preserved (more than 60 pieces) in recordings made under his own supervision (Britten did nearly as well; Milhaud, Poulenc, Shostakovich, and a few others have left small samples). This collection, with an informative, well-illustrated booklet, is monumental, a legacy to posterity of incalculable value. --Joe McLellan

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