Le sacre du printemps / Symphony in Three Movements / Agon

"It may be that none of these recordings are first choices, but all of them are very good and the choice of works makes for a more interesting that usual Stravinsky collection. Both The Rite of Spring and Agon receive performances that leave little to be desired, save perhaps a certain sharpness of focus in the latter, and sheer pulverizing power in the former, but Ashkenazy certainly has the measure of the music and he communicates his intentions to the players effectively, delivering performances that are colorful and well-paced. The best item on the disc, though, is this gutsy and propulsive Symphony in Three Movements. Ashkenazy energizes the outer movements most impressively (sound sample), and captures the stylized elegance of the central Andante with confidence and ease. The engineering is consistently fine. Worth considering, then, even if most collectors will have alternatives, for The Rite at the very least." (Arkivmusic.com)