Holy crap! I was perusing various performances of Stravinsky's Firebird Suite on YouTube when I came across one of Stravinsky Hisself conducting "Lullaby and Final Hymn" (1945 version*)!
Awesometasticalrific! I'm Seriously Sniffly over this.
And hmmm, interesting that Stravinsky conducts sans baton. I asked Husband Mike what he made o' that, and he said it's not a big deal; were he conducting with a more open hand, it wouldn't look as odd. Whilst I've never seen anyone conduct without a baton, Husband Mike has and says the open-hand way is usually how they do it.
Anyhoo, share and enjoy! :-)
Stravinsky Conducts Firebird
* There are actually a few different versions o' the Firebird Suite; I'm kinda' partial to the 1919 one.
When thinking of YouTube, it never occurred to me that it'd be a nifty source of orchestral music performances. I was searching for Dvořák's Slavonic Dances in the iLike app for Facebook, and lo, it returned video results! What an absolute delight!
So, here are just a few of my fave orchestral/classical music videos I've found on YouTube. Share and enjoy!
Smetana Ma Vlast Moldau Kubelik Czech 1990 (2) Such an achingly beautiful, soaring piece. :::happy sigh:::
Pilsner Urquell - Bedřich Smetana -Má vlast Vlatava (Moldau) OK, it's a commercial, but it's one of the most clever ones I've ever seen! Freakin' hilarious!
The Great Gate of Kiev - Modest Mussorgsky This movement is part of Pictures at an Exhibition, and it's my fave out of the entire piece. Moves me to tears every time I hear it. Such beauty!
Smetana "Prodaná nevěsta (The bartered bride)" Overture There's a reason why this piece has become a Czech national institution.
Sakari Oramo conducts "Finlandia" You just can't listen to this and remain unmoved. Awesome-tastical.
