Stravinsky: Pulcinella Suite

The Dutch conductor Jaap van Zweden has in recent years formed a strong musical relationship with the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra, and the result of this is an ongoing series of recordings for Octavia of Anton Bruckner’s symphonies. On this new hybrid SACD they perform three works by Igor Stravinsky, the ballet suites from “Petrushka” and “Pulcinella”, and the “Symphonies of Wind Instruments”.

Stravinsky’s Petrushka was the second of his three great “Russian” ballets following The Firebird and before The Rite of Spring. It was first performed in Paris in 1911 by Diaghilev’s Ballet Russe. “Pulcinella” and the “Symphonies of Wind Instruments” were written during Stravinsky’s neo-classical period. Some of the score of the former is adapted from the music of the early eighteenth century Italian composer Giovanni Pergolesi.

Born in Amsterdam in 1960, Jaap van Zweden began his musical career as a violinist, becoming at nineteen the youngest ever concertmaster of the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra. He is now Chief Conductor and Artistic Director of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra and Radio Kamer Filharmonie, Music Director of Dallas Symphony Orchestra, and Chief Conductor of the Royal Flemish Philharmonic Orchestra. He is currently recording a Bruckner cycle for Octavia, with symphonies 4, 5, 7, 9 and 2 already released to great critical acclaim.

"The best chamber orchestra in the world." The Daily Telegraph

“Janiczek is an outstanding young conductor and soloist.” Audiophile Audition

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe performs Stravinsky's Apollon Musagète and Pulcinella Suite, repertoire that demands the fresh and energetic delivery for which the COE is renowned.

The COE deliver the “wonderful freshness" Stravinsky himself envisioned in Apollon Musagète with their bright and spirited performance. The Guardian commented: “In Stravinsky's Apollon Musagète each and every player contributed to the distinctive, rich-toned sonority.”

The Pulcinella Suite is a ballet based on some of Pergolesi's most memorable music. The COE has recorded the more unusual 1949 'revised' version of the 1922 concert suite which is in eight sections and performed without voices. The Independent commented: “Stravinsky's Pulcinella Suite brimmed over with the energy and insight of first-rate musicians discovering every opportunity such sunny music offered them.”

In 2008, the COE performed this Stravinsky programme at Royal Festival Hall, London and Symphony Hall, Birmingham to widespread critical acclaim.

The Chamber Orchestra of Europe is a multi-award winning orchestra having won three Gramophone 'Record of the Year' awards, the ‘Best Classical Vocal Performance’ category in the annual Grammy Awards (2004), and the Midem 2008 ‘Classical Download’ Award.

In 2006 COE celebrated its Silver Jubilee with a series of concerts in London and has performed at the Proms and Edinburgh International Festival.

Alexander Janiczek expertly directs the COE contributing to the distinctive, rich-toned sonority of the string section. He has performed with the UK’s leading orchestras including the London Philharmonic Orchestra, the London Symphony Orchestra and the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.

The partnership of the COE and Linn Records, both multi award-winning leaders in their field, results in an outstanding recording of some of Stravinsky’s most enjoyable ballet music.