Wistful is not a word one expects to use to describe a composition of Stravinsky but the Pastorale which opens this collection has just that kind of charm. Written originally as a vocal piece in 1908, it introduces Robert Craft's collection of early works dating from 1911 to 1918, the exception being the audacious arrangement of the Scherzo à la russe that Stravinsky made for Paul Whiteman's Band in 1944. The most familiar work here is the Histoire du soldat Suite, given a sharply characterised performance. But the opening of Renard establishes a similarly dynamic instrumental character, while the dramatic vocal participation is exuberantly full of bawdy wit. It is presented with great accuracy and élan, laced with weird barnyard noises from the orchestra, and is great fun even if one cannot hear all the words (no text is provided).
The two Bal'mont songs are beautiful and the Three Japanese Lyrics are sinuously seductive, all exquisitely sung by Susan Narucki. Both sets are provided with translations, but the four Pribaoutki are not. Here Catherine Ciesinski brings out their primitive, often robust Russian folk derivation.
The four Cats' Cradle Songs are equally memorable, slinky morsels with stealthy clarinet colouring. The programme ends with the Songof the Volga Boatmen, vulgarly scored but played roisterously by the Philharmonia Orchestra.
All these performances offer superb ensemble playing and spirited, crisply detailed direction from Craft who also provides excellent notes.