#150 The Smell of Fraction

How dancing and playful it is. But the movement is also every fractional, the numbers are splattering from it. Orchestra is suppressed, almost like muted, the sound is very unified.

Zimmermann's playing is full of joy and energy. Sometimes it seems like the music is calling for help, exhaused, violin unnerved. But it's all numbers, small fractions in a landscape of beauty.

Composer: Igor Stravinsky
Work: Violin Concerto, IV. Capriccio
Recording: Frank Peter Zimmermann, Radio-Sinfonieorchester Stuttgart, Gianluigi Gelmetti

#109 The Smell of Evil

There's no intention to be nice: it's supposed to be pagan, brusque. But this recording goes further. It's not devastating in the sound volume but it's so cold, mean, and bitchy.

Philharmonia Orchestra is bloodthirsty but the veins are empty. Pure rage is yet controlled by Markevich. Spring? Chilliness peeps through.

Composer: Igor Stravinsky
Work: The Rite of Spring, I. Adoration of the Earth
Recording: Philharmonia Orchestra, Igor Markevich (1959)

#54 The Smell of Edification

The finale of The Firebird gives you the unique feeling there's Good and there's Heaven. It's uprising, forcing you to stand up and tell it: Yes! Do whatever you have to do but keep the music playing!

It cannot be played too slowly, it cannot be too exciting, there's no "too much" in this piece, no excess is enough.

Composer: Igor Stravinsky
Work: The Firebird Suite, Finale
Recording: Israel Philharmonic Orchestra, Leonard Bernstein