This new recording of the 1967 edition of The Rite of Spring, a major landmark of twentieth century music, is released in celebration of the 125th anniversary of the birth of Stravinsky. The Violin Concerto is widely considered to be Stravinsky’s most perfect orchestral work. The Symphonies of Wind Instruments is now seen as a shorter companion opus for The Rite of Spring. It is, in any case, the last of his pre-neoclassic creations. Dedicated to Claude Debussy, Zvezdolikiy (‘The Star-Faced One’) for unaccompanied male chorus and orchestra is unique in Stravinsky’s music for its uncontrasted slow tempo and the absence of a motoric rhythm. The second half is written in homage to the French composer and includes actual imitations of his melodic rhythmic and instrumental styles.