Musik Triennale Köln 2000: Chicago Symphony Orchestra, Pierre Boulez & Christine Schäfer (2001)

"This is a marvellous account of a Boulez favourite: Stravinsky's The Firebird. If, watching Boulez, you can never quite tell what hes thinking or feeling, the truth lies in the listening. His acute understanding (and affection for) Stravinskys Diaghilev commission allows not only a wonderful soundscape but also a vivid telling of the musics narrative. This is an atmospheric, precisely coloured and detailed account of Stravinskys outsize, refined and translucent score. Its always a pleasurable lesson to watch Boulezs conducting technique what an orchestra sees every gesture pertinent, his hands independent. Also it is valuable and rewarding to have film of CSO luminaries such as Samuel Magad (concertmaster), Larry Combs (clarinet), Adolph Herseth (trumpet) and Dale Clevenger (horn), the latters solos throughout Firebird suitably entranced." (Colin Anderson, Musicweb Int.; klik op link voor complete tekst, ook over de rest van het programma)