Stravinsky - Firebird, Petrushka and Rite of Spring

Stravinsky - Firebird, Petrushka and Rite of Spring is a breathtaking, captivating musical film featuring the sublime talent and skills of the renowned London Symphony Orchestra, conducted by the legendary Sir Simon Rattle. This film is not your average Hollywood blockbuster, rather it is an auditory feast, a visual symphony that encapsulates the evocative compositions of Igor Stravinsky.

A performance of three of Stravinsky's most influential ballets - 'The Firebird', 'Petrushka', and 'The Rite of Spring' serve as the highlights of the film. The London Symphony Orchestra, led by the charismatic brilliance of Sir Simon Rattle, manages to interpret and deliver the opulent complexities of Stravinsky’s work, resonating with the discerning tastes of classical music enthusiasts and the uninitiated audience alike.

The film opens with 'The Firebird', Stravinsky's earliest ballet, which is a rich exploration of Russian folklore and mythology, with a unique lexicon of orchestral colors. The performance from the orchestra communicates the piece’s fluctuations from dreamy tranquility to intense drama as the story unfolds in its magical, musical narrative transforming the viewers into willing participants in the romantic journey.

Next, the film transitions to 'Petrushka', Stravinsky's second ballet, which tells the tragic tale of a puppet who gains consciousness and harbors unrequited feelings of love. The narrative is set against the backdrop of a bustling Russian fair hence, vibrant in its use of character rhythms, masterfully presented by the orchestra, and it's Comic-tragic nature is strikingly visualized by Rattle's emotive conduct.

The grand finale of the film is 'The Rite of Spring', Stravinsky's magnum opus, and arguably one of the most revolutionary pieces in the history of music. This ground-breaking ballet composition is marked by forceful rhythm and jarring dissonance, the soundtrack to a pictorial, primitive ritual, and to a new vision of musical language. It is in the performance of this piece that the prowess of the London Symphony Orchestra truly shines. Guided by Rattle's intense command, the orchestra dives into the dissonant harmonies and violent rhythms, reviving the ballet's senses of excitement and scandal at its first performance in Paris in 1913.

The camera often pans across the ensemble providing a visual treat for the audience, while the superb audio mixing ensures that even the minutest detail of Stravinsky’s rich orchestral writing is clearly audible. Each instrument's voice, every rhythm, every note, is heightened by the meticulous cinematography. The performances are as much a feast for the eyes as they are for the ears. The dramatic tension in each piece is visible in the musicians' fervent expressions, and the collective energy is palpable.

Moreover, Sir Simon Rattle's interpretation of these scores is a magical journey itself. Known for his energetic and passionate style, Rattle’s masterful direction brings a fresh sense of dynamism and excitement to these well-known pieces. His world-renowned skill to blend strict precision with unrestricted musical passion is self-evident and fully embodied throughout the performance.

To add a distinctive layer to the presentation, the movie also includes brief commentaries by Sir Simon Rattle himself providing compelling insights into the pieces, the composer's artistic vision, and the challenges and details of their interpretation for the modern-day orchestra.

In conclusion, Stravinsky - Firebird, Petrushka, and Rite of Spring is a museum-worthy exhibition of classical music that celebrates both the timeless genius of Stravinsky's craft and the transcending virtues of rhythmic symphony. It’s rare that a film offers such an intimately real experience of a live orchestral performance, transporting us straight into the heart of the music, but this one certainly does.

A must-watch for anyone interested in classical music, fans of Stravinsky, supporters of the London Symphony Orchestra, or those who are intrigued by the spellbinding power of orchestral strings and symphonies, this film is a masterful showcase of music at its core and a tribute to the unfading preeminence of classical composition. Experience sounds that awaken emotions and stimulating visuals that deepen the understanding of music with Stravinsky - Firebird, Petrushka, and Rite of Spring.