Rattle’s third Firebird recording pairs brisk pace with dramatic force

Simon Rattle’s latest recording of Stravinsky’s *The Firebird* with the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra is his third account of the ballet, and the review finds it the strongest in speed and dramatic impact. Its lively interpretation and clear orchestral textures make the album appealing to newcomers as well as listeners familiar with the work.

The live performance features the complete 1910 score and is several minutes shorter than Rattle’s earlier readings. The orchestra brings rich colours to Koschei’s enchanted garden, sharp-edged brass to the magician and rhythmic drive to the Infernal Dance. A half-hour talk by Rattle adds historical context and musical examples, including how Stravinsky transformed a melody from Rimsky-Korsakov’s *Mlada*.