Best overall Stravinski - Rites of Spring...

I second Rcprince's and Newbee's recommendations. I would add two recordings that are must-hears. Whenever possible, go to the source. IMO, Columbia's recording with the Columbia Symphony Orchestra with Stravinsky himself conducting is THE ONE if one wants to hear what the composer intended. It is a ferocious and incredibly exciting reading. Not available on vinyl, but for a similarly exciting (scary, at times) reading, Gergiev's recording with the Kirov orchestra is killer.

Right on Frogman.

I purchased this recording of the 'The Rite of Spring' in 1972.

I compare all other versions to this one.

Rich

I second Frogman's suggestion of the Stravinsky recording on Columbia. Also, another great one is Montreal's with Charles Dutoit conducting.

Andante released a three volume collection of Stravinsky performances as remastered CD's. The majority of these recordings are live with Stravinsky conducting. Volume III is most, if not all, Leonard Bernstein at the podium. Volume I is difficult to come across.

fyi... for those looking for the Bernstein, it's just been reissued on vinyl:

http://www.elusivedisc.com/STRAVINSKY-LE-SACRE-DU-PRINTEMPS-180g-LP/productinfo/SONLP47633/
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