IGOR STRAVINSKY:

PULCINELLA

with Roxana Constantinescu & Kyle Ketelsen

Chicago Symphony Orchestra

Pierre Boulez, conductor

CSO Resound

2010 GRAMMY AWARD NOMINEE:

BEST ORCHESTRAL PERFORMANCE

CRITICAL ACCLAIM

DETROIT FREE PRESS

"…the Stravinsky disc bursts with coiled energy and vibrant color…The reading of the complete score includes the rarely heard songs, sung stylishly by Roxana Constantinescu, Nicholas Phan and Kyle Ketelsen."

MUSICWEB INTERNATIONAL

“At the core of this recording is the full score of Pulcinella, a work heard too often as a symphonic suite without the vocal movements. The complete sung ballet is present here, and it is an outstanding interpretation of the piece, which benefits from the balanced textures and carefully voiced sonorities found in the score. The second movement is attractive for the effective oboe playing of Eugene Izotov and the thoughtful phrasing of tenor Nicholas Phan. Soprano Roxana Constantinescu is similarly impressive in her aria "Contento forse", which evokes the eighteenth-century style of Stravinsky's source within its modern context. The third vocalist in this work, baritone Kyle Ketelsen is solid throughout, especially the first piece, "Conquesto paroline", in which his even range and consistent articulation allow the text to sound clearly through his dramatic reading of the aria. The trio which follows shows the fine ensemble that sets this particular recording apart from others.”