UTube, a blessing from Heaven. Or my 1st acquaintance with Hiroyuki Iwaki.

[Enrique]

Out of sheer curiosity I searched for The Rite of Spring from within UTube. Among the available performances I chose "NHK Symphony Orchestra, Hiroyuki Iwaki, Tokyo, 1981" (Press here if you mind listening). And so, thanks to UTube, I now know H.Iwaki existed, which I consider a very happy fact.

I do not think many LvBers mind The Rite of Spring or musical life in Japan [which implies there are others in LvB who do mind]. As for me, I can't help sympathize with a people that has so decidedly embraced the Western cultural heritage and especially western classical music. So many centers of teaching, so many orchestras and concert halls, and such quality standards, as for certain, the above performance is a good proof. I only wanted to share this little experience of mine. Cheers.

[Sorrano]

I am a big fan of the Rite of Spring, thanks for the link!

[Enrique]

Don't mention it. With me included, there are two of us.

[Peter]

Don't mention it. With me included, there are two of us.

Three!

[Enrique]

I would have never suspect it. Glad to know it.

[Roehre]

The Rite of Spring is a bit old hat, isn't it ?
Next year we'll celebrate the century of its first performance.

I heard Hiroyuki Iwaki a couple of time live in The Hague, as he was co-principal conductor of the Residentie Orkest (The Hague Philharmonic).
His for me most iconic recording is a live recording (1971) of a performance of Vermeulen's 2nd symphony "Prélude à la nouvelle journée" (1920) -

amiable person, great but vastly underrated conductor.

[PDG]

Listening to various versions of the very many "standards" composed by the great American song composer, Richard Rodgers (1902 -1979). I remember vividly hearing of his death on the very last day of the 1970s' decade, and feeling quite numb. His contribution to popular C20th musical - and popular - culture remains, in my opinion, underrated.

[PDG]

Oh, er...that last post was meant for 'What are you listening to now?'. Sorry an' all that...

[Enrique]

The Rite of Spring is a bit old hat, isn't it ?

I agree. And thank you for reminding me of the anniversary of that memorable day. I learn that Iwaki was honored a permanent conductor of the NHK. Given the importance of this orchestra in Japan and the fact that he was Chief Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a record term of 23 years (1974–97) (Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia -Wikipedia), I thought he was now, after his death a renowned conductor. I enjoyed watching him conduct Le sacre in the video. Have you met him personally?

[Roehre]

I learn that Iwaki was honored a permanent conductor of the NHK. Given the importance of this orchestra in Japan and the fact that he was Chief Conductor of the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra for a record term of 23 years (1974–97) (Melbourne has the longest continuous history of orchestral music of any Australian city and the MSO is the oldest professional orchestra in Australia -Wikipedia), I thought he was now, after his death a renowned conductor. I enjoyed watching him conduct Le sacre in the video. Have you met him personally?

I unfortunately haven't, but know quite a few people who worked with him, and all are in praise of his sheer musicianship and of his human interest in the members of the orchestra.

[Peter]

The Rite of Spring is a bit old hat, isn't it ?
Next year we'll celebrate the century of its first performance.

I heard Hiroyuki Iwaki a couple of time live in The Hague, as he was co-principal conductor of the Residentie Orkest (The Hague Philharmonic).
His for me most iconic recording is a live recording (1971) of a performance of Vermeulen's 2nd symphony "Prélude à la nouvelle journée" (1920) -

amiable person, great but vastly underrated conductor.

Although your comment was tongue in cheek, actually I think Stravinsky's own words about the Grosse Fugue being 'forever a modern work' apply equally to his own Rite.

[Roehre]

Although your comment was tongue in cheek, actually I think Stravinsky's own words about the Grosse Fugue being 'forever a modern work' apply equally to his own Rite.

You are certainly right, but there is one specific work of Stravinsky's for which this accolade applies even more: his symphonies for winds.

Of a composer who would compose a Rite nowadays would be said that his music is great but a bit dated. These Symphonies (or the GF for that matter ) would be acclaimed as a truly modern work (whereas his dodecaphonic works -great as these are- are really dated)

[Enrique]

Dated or not, The Rite of Spring will be heard for as long as there are human beings on Earth.

[Sorrano]

I'll have to take a listen at the Symphonies. Nice thing about Stravinsky is that he was so versatile in his compositional styles.