Songs starts with a three part love declaration to his newfound wife, composed in 1906. In no other place can Stravinsky be found so overtly erotic. Both in his choice of lyrics (by Pushkin) and in the sensual music itself, Faune et Bergere is a very special work. And on this record the old master conducted it himself. He later described as Wagnerian, but I didn’t hear that.
The rest of the record is filled with interesting, but tough works to listen. I admit to having so problems with listening to this record. It might be the age of the recording, something I’m always troubled with somehow. And another thing: the portrait that adorns the front is a portrait if you see it like this. If you hold the sleeve in your hand yourself, it is more like a collection of grey dots. Does that tell you something about the music?