Stravinsky is known for orchestration if not composition.Patrushka (1911) precedes L'Histoire du Soldat (1918) by seven years and momentous changes in Russian history.
It may be presumptuous of me to review a composer of Stravinsky's stature. Firebird (1910) after all is a summit of achievement. But Petrushka and L'Histoire du Soldat do not measure up to that summit.
Petrushka was done at the time of the notable Ballet Russe. L'Histoire was done at a time Stravinsky and his wife were living in France. L'Histoire is remarkably lacking in the spirit of the Russian Revolution. It contains interesting rhythms and drum rolls, but nothing to inspire.
This is an altogether pleasant CD but I was hoping more of a feel for Russia during those formative years.
